What to expect from adolescents (12 to 18 years)

Adolescents go through many changes. Their minds and bodies grow and change a lot. They learn to think and solve problems better, improve their social skills, and grow physically. Sometimes they grow so fast they might trip over their own feet!

Some people say being a teenager is a time of “storm and stress” or “trials and tribulations.” One thing is sure: teens start out like children but end up like young adults.

What is typical adolescent development?

Thinking and problem-solving skills development

Teenagers’ brains grow just like their bodies. They start to think in more complex ways. They can understand harder problems and see different sides of an idea. They can do more difficult math and understand more complex topics. But they do not always make decisions based on logic. Sometimes they decide things because of big feelings or impulses.

As teens get better at thinking, they also get better at making long-term plans. By the end of their teen years, they might think about who they want to be or what job they want to do.

Physical development

Teens go through “growth spurts” that can make them feel clumsy in their own bodies. They grow taller, get more muscles, and start to look more like adults. This usually happens before they are mentally mature. After the clumsy stage, they usually become more physically skilled.

Puberty starts around 12-13 years old, but it’s normal for it to start at different times. Teens need about 8 hours of sleep every day.

Social development

Teens want to feel more independent from their family. They might show less affection to their caregivers and sometimes seem rude. But they still need their family for support.

Teens care a lot about their friends and fitting in. They often compare themselves to others or try to be like celebrities. They also start to be more interested in romantic relationships.

Emotional Development

Teens often have big mood swings. Their changing hormones can make them happy one minute and sad the next. They might not be able to control these changes at first, but learning to do so is part of growing up. Teens can feel stressed about school, friends, or relationships.

Where can I find more information if I have concerns about my adolescent's development?

Every teen develops differently. Some grow faster than others, and that’s okay. If one area of development is slow, it’s not always a problem.

If you’re worried about your child, you can find more information at “I worry about my child, but how do I know what is going on?” [website link].

You can also get more information by using your phone camera on the QR code below or by clicking here.