How can puberty affect a childs development

Toggle navigation. Start typing to search. The effects of puberty The hormonal increases associated with puberty are thought to affect children and teens in a number of ways.

Our Australian study We worked on a study of young people aged to specifically examine the effect of puberty on their academic achievement and motivation. The findings The study confirmed that the further along in puberty the children are, the lower their self-confidence and the lower the value they placed on school.

What needs to happen? Original Psychlopedia article. Please republish. Find a Psychologist icons Feedback Signup for news and updates Email:. Great news, we've signed you up. Sorry, we weren't able to sign you up. Please check your details, and try again. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Relationships. Parenting children through puberty. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What to expect during puberty Teenagers and social media How you can support your child during puberty How you can support your daughter during puberty How you can support your son during puberty How to talk about puberty and body image How to foster positive independence during puberty How to look after yourself at this time Where to get help.

What to expect during puberty You can read more detailed articles on puberty and the teenage years in general, but this short summary gives you an idea of what to expect.

During puberty, most children will experience: oily skin acne is possible oily hair, possibly requiring frequent washing increased perspiration and body odour frequent showering and deodorant help a growth spurt of around 11 cm a year in girls and up to 13 cm a year in boys. Teens continue to grow about 1—2 cm a year after this main growth spurt.

Some body parts such as head and hands may grow faster than limbs and torso. The body eventually evens out. Girls will experience: breast development and possible tenderness a change in their figure, including widening of the hips growth of pubic and underarm hair the start of menstruation — periods may be irregular at first.

Some discomfort, like headaches and stomach cramps, is normal but see your doctor if you have concerns a clear or whitish vaginal discharge — this may occur before periods. See your doctor if your daughter experiences itching, pain or strong odour. Boys will experience: growth of the penis and testes testicles. Sometimes the growth of the testes is uneven that is, one testis grows faster than the other. Voice variations are normal and will settle in time. What to expect socially and emotionally Mood changes and energy level variations are normal parts of puberty, as are swings between feeling independent and wanting parental support.

Teenagers and social media Social media use is common among teenagers. You may also find it useful to keep the following tips in mind: Praise your teenager for their efforts, achievements and positive behaviour. Try to stay calm during angry outbursts from your child. Wait for your child to cool down before talking about the problem. Stay interested and involved, and be available if your child wants to talk. Chat to your partner or other parents of teenagers.

Sharing concerns and experiences can ease the load. Try to support your child in their self-expression, even if some of it seems odd to you, such as an extreme haircut or offbeat clothing choices. Try to tolerate long periods of time spent on personal care, such as hours in the bathroom, but chat to your child about reasonable family time limits.

Talk to your child about any permanent changes they want to make to their body, such a tattoos and piercings, and discuss temporary alternatives, such as henna removable tattoos. If your child has acne, talk to them about how they feel about it.

If it is bothering them, ask if they would like to see a doctor. Your doctor may refer your teenager to a skin specialist or dermatologist. How you can support your daughter during puberty Helping your daughter with firsts, such as being ready for her first period are really important. How you can support your son during puberty Helping your son through puberty is mostly about reassurance. How to talk about puberty and body image The best time to talk about puberty with your child is before it begins.

Some tips for ways to take care of yourself are listed below. Prepare a weekly family plan, so you know what people are doing and where they need to be. Include some fun family rituals, like Saturday night cards, or maybe a weekly walk or bike ride.

Nurture your relationship with your partner. Sweat A new type of sweat gland in the armpit and genital area develops during puberty. Skin bacteria feed on the sweat this gland produces, which can lead to body odour.

Hygiene is important. Skin and hair Glands in the skin on the face, shoulders and back start to become more active during puberty, producing more oil. This can lead to skin conditions like acne. If they are, consider speaking with your GP. Teeth Children will get their second molars at around 13 years of age. These teeth can appear in singles, pairs, as a full set of 4 wisdom teeth — or not at all.

Children with additional needs are likely to go through the physical changes of puberty in the same way as other children.

Some children might have delayed physical development because of chronic health problems, which might cause a delay in the onset of puberty.