Child Development
In youths aged 12, the following changes are happening:
- Emotional: Worried about school work, exams, and report cards. They are sensitive about their feelings. They want to be independent but are also reluctant to let go of certain aspects of childhood.
- Intellectual: Are beginning to think for themselves. May have difficulty acquiring new conceptual skills but are able to understand abstract ideas like “justice” and “honesty”. They will demand privileges but avoid responsibility. May develop “hero” worship of certain individuals.
- Physical: At a plateau of brain growth while the body continues to experience rapid growth. May be self-conscious about attempting new physical feats. May have periods of extreme fatigue and are self-conscious about sexual development.
- Social: Developing critical attitudes about home, parents, and society in general. Will more independently chose friends and are concerned with group loyalty. They crave periods of being alone.
