Is the development of a child aged 12 years old?

Entering the age of 12, your child will experience quite drastic changes. Launching the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, generally children at this age will experience physical, mental, emotional, and social changes that are quite different from children at previous ages. This makes you need to know what can happen to the development of a 12 year old child as below.

Various aspects of the development of a 12 year old child

Just as experienced in the development of children at the age of 11 years, the adolescent phase will also experience physical, cognitive, psychological, and language development at the age of 12.

It's just that, the stages he is experiencing are at a more advanced level. The following is a complete explanation of the stages of development of a 12 year old child.

Physical development of children aged 12 years

At the age of 12 years, the physical development most felt in children is puberty. If you have a daughter, this is the age where she is or is starting puberty.

Meanwhile, in boys, usually the process leading to new puberty begins.

Some of the physical changes that a child will experience at this age include:

• Girls will experience breast growth.
• Your daughter will probably have her first period.
• Girls and boys alike, will experience hair growth in the armpits and in the pubic area.
• Boys will experience growth in the penis and testicles.
• Boys will experience changes in their voice to become heavier.
• Boys may experience hair growth in the facial area.

Considering that at the age of 11, children have undergone various changes above, maybe this is the right time to help children increase their awareness of sexuality.

If you haven't previously provided sex education to your child, this might be a good time. This is necessary so that he understands more about his body. In addition, the openness of parents is claimed to minimize the risk of sexual behavior from an early age.

In addition to the physical development associated with children's puberty, you will also see your child showing a fitter body, making him more active and skilled in various sports.

However, because at this age your child will experience physical changes, don't be surprised if your child pays more attention to his appearance.

Cognitive development of 12 year olds

At this age, your child will experience a variety of new cognitive developments. Typically, the cognitive development that a 12 year old child experiences includes:

• Can think logically in various situations.
• Beginning to understand the concept of justice and equality.
• Starting to understand every action that is done, it may have a good or bad impact.
• Starting can solve the problem, even though you can't do it perfectly yet.
• Can already think in complex ways.

Yes, by the age of 12, your child will begin to have a more "mature" mindset and outlook than before. This has to do with the ability to see right or wrong.

Even so, at certain times, your child will still find it difficult to be able to think rationally and still shows a childish side in looking at one thing or another.

Moreover, in the development of this 12 year old, he is in an egocentric phase when he only thinks about himself.

Psychological development of children aged 12 years

At 12 years of age, your child's psychological development is divided into emotional and social development.

However, this is still related to the physical and cognitive changes that are felt by him. Apart from mood swings, mixed emotions can also recur.

Emotional development

The emotional development experienced by 12 year olds is particularly pronounced in erratic mood swings.

Children may suddenly feel sad then happy, confident, but then suddenly lose that self-confidence, and so on.

In addition, the emotional development experienced by a 12 year old child is usually characterized by:

• Began to dare to go against what was ordered by parents.
• Start to be independent and get away from both parents, even though they often still need parental advice.
• Understand the principles that apply in the family.

As the parent of a 12 year old child, you need to be patient with the frequent emotional and mood swings. Remembering one of the stages of a teen's development in this phase he begins to want to get away from you.

Do not be surprised if it is difficult for him to go out with him and so on. Even so, that doesn't mean he doesn't love you anymore. This is because of the same frequency as peers.

In addition, in the development of this 12 year old child, adolescents will begin to form their leadership attitude. In fact, he may even already understand that there are useful things he can do for others.

You can help your child improve this skill by involving him in family discussions. In addition, you can also support children to take part in social activities both at school and outside of school.

Social development

Along with the desire of children to separate themselves from their parents and become more independent, children also become happier spending time with their peers. By age 12, your child's social development includes:

• Want to be a person who is liked and accepted by peers.
• Starting to enjoy doing various activities that involve friends of the opposite sex.
• Begins to understand the other person's point of view.

Even so, this social development was also accompanied by the pressure he felt. The reason is, your child may be willing to do things that you don't want to do just to be accepted in the relationship.

So that children do not "slang wrong", you still have to provide supervision on all activities that the child does. Also, make sure not to make him feel restrained, as this will make him even more inclined to argue.

Explain that he can choose to be friends with anyone. However, choose friends who can provide comfort and support each other.

If at the development of this 12 year old child he has started using gadget , make sure that use gadget stay safe and don't break the rules you provide.

Also provide clear education to be responsible when he already has various social media accounts.

12 year old language development

By the age of 12, your child will be able to speak like an adult. In fact, your child can speak well.

If depicted, the child may be able to understand figuratively, or the true meaning of a statement conveyed by another.

Your child will also begin to understand proverbs and various expressions without having to think too hard about what they mean.

It could be that he already understands the sarcasm you are conveying to him, from the tone of voice used.

Tips for parents in helping child development

In helping the development of children at 12 years of age, there are several things you can do including:

• When discussing sensitive matters, try to be honest and open with children.
• Try to meet and get acquainted with his friends.
• Show interest in activities that the child does at school.
• Help your child to make choices or encourage them to make their own decisions.
• Respect the child's opinion in the discussion as evidence that you are also listening to what the child has to say.
• Give appreciation or praise in an appropriate manner and not exaggerated.
• Give the child the freedom to play outside with friends, but make sure you can still monitor it.
• Pay attention to the rest periods teenagers should enjoy. Including at night to minimize sleep disturbances.

If you feel that your child has developmental problems or your child is experiencing very slow development, there is nothing wrong with consulting a doctor.

Although, basically the development of each child has a different time.

If there is something that is not suitable for the development of a 12 year old child, you can also discuss with your doctor what actions can be taken to solve the problem.

Next, let's also look at the development of a 13 year old child.

Hello Health Group and Hello Sehat do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please check our editorial policy page for more detailed information.

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