The Growing Child: Teenager (13 to 18 Years)

How much will my teen grow?

The teenage years are also called adolescence. This is a time for growth spurts and puberty
changes (sexual maturation). A teen may grow several inches in several months, followed by a
time of very slow growth. Then they may have another growth spurt. Puberty changes may
happen slowly. Or several changes may occur at the same time.
It's important to remember that these changes will happen differently for each teen. Some teens
may have these signs of maturity sooner or later than others. Each child goes through puberty
at their own pace.

What changes will happen during puberty?

Sexual and other physical maturation that happens during puberty is due to hormonal changes.
Here's a look at the changes for boys and girls.
In boys, it's hard to know exactly when puberty is coming. There are changes that occur, but
they happen slowly and over a period of time. It's not just a single event. Each male teen is
different and may go through these changes differently. But these are average ages when
puberty changes may happen:
○​ Start of puberty. Between 9 ½ and 14 years old.
○​ First puberty change. Enlargement of the testicles.
○​ Penis enlargement. Begins about 1 year after the testicles begin enlarging.
○​ Pubic hair appears. About 13 ½ years old.
 ○​ Wet dreams (nocturnal emissions). About 14 years old.
○​ Hair under the arms and on the face, voice change, and acne. About 15 years old.
Girls also experience puberty as a series of events. But their puberty changes often begin
before boys of the same age. Each girl is different and may go through these changes
differently. These are average ages when puberty changes may happen:
○​ Start of puberty. Between 8 and 13 years old.
○​ First puberty change. Breast development.
○​ Pubic hair appears. Shortly after breast development.
○​ Hair under the arms. About 12 years old.
○​ Menstrual periods. Between 10 and 16 ½ years old.
Both boys and girls go through certain stages of development when developing secondary sex
characteristics. These are the physical characteristics of males and females that are not
involved in reproduction. These include voice changes, body shape, pubic hair distribution, and
facial hair. Here's a quick look at the changes that happen:
○​ Boys. In boys, the first puberty change is the enlargement of the scrotum and testes. At
this point, the penis does not enlarge. Then, as the testes and scrotum continue to
enlarge, the penis gets longer. Next, the penis will continue to grow in both size and
length.
○​ Girls. In girls, the first puberty change is the development of breast buds. This is when
the breast and nipple elevate. The dark area of skin that surrounds the nipple of the
breast (the areola) gets larger at this time. The breasts then continue to enlarge. Over
time, the nipples and the areolas will rise again. They then form another mound on the
breasts. When a girl becomes an adult, only the nipple is raised above the rest of the
breast tissue.
○​ Both boys and girls. Pubic hair development is similar for both girls and boys. The first
growth of hair produces long, soft hair that is only in a small area around the genitals.
This hair then becomes darker and coarser as it continues to spread. Over time the
pubic hair looks like adult hair, but in a smaller area. It may spread to the thighs. It
sometimes goes up the stomach.

What does my teen understand?

The teenage years bring many changes. These are not only physical, but also mental and social
changes. During these years, teens become more able to think abstractly. Over time they can
make plans and set long-term goals. Each child may progress at a different rate and may have a
different view of the world. In general, these are some of the abilities you may see in your teen:
○​ Develops the ability to think abstractly
○​ Is concerned with philosophy, politics, and social issues
○​ Thinks long-term
○​ Sets goals
○​ Compares himself or herself to their peers
As your teen starts to struggle for independence and control, many changes may happen. Here
are some of the issues that may affect your teen during these years:
○​ Wants independence from parents
 ○​ Peer influence and acceptance becomes very important
○​ Romantic and sexual relationships become important
○​ May be in love
○​ Has long-term commitment in relationship

How to help your teen to develop socially

Here are some ways to help strengthen your teen's social abilities:
○​ Encourage your teen to take on new challenges.
○​ Talk with your teen about not losing sight of one's self in group relations.
○​ Encourage your teen to talk with a trusted adult about problems or concerns, even if it is
not you.
○​ Talk about ways to manage and handle stress.
○​ Provide consistent, loving discipline with limits, restrictions, and rewards.
○​ Find ways to spend time together.
Puberty
The body’s transition to adulthood includes physical and emotional changes.

Contributor:Teens Participating in the Summer Wellness ProgramsNiharika

Bedekar, Teen Writer
Puberty happens to every person sometime after the age of 8. It is the transition into
adulthood, when the sex organs grow and develop and the body becomes capable of
reproduction. These changes can make you feel proud and happy, but sometimes they
may make you feel confused or embarrassed.

During puberty:

●​ The brain’s hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release hormones called
gonadotropins into the bloodstream. These hormones are produced about one
year before bodily changes begin. That’s why physical complaints – such as
headaches and stomachaches – sometimes precede a girl’s first menstruation.
●​ These hormones stimulate estrogen production by the ovaries in females (six
times greater than previous levels) and androgen production in the testes in
males (20 times greater than previous levels).

Both genders have both hormones, but during puberty, males get 20 to 60 percent more
androgen and females get 20 to 30 percent more estrogen.

Precocious Puberty
Precocious puberty is the early onset of puberty, usually before the age of 7 or 8 for
females and 9 for males.

The causes of early puberty are still unknown, but in some cases precocious puberty
can be due to a hormone imbalance or a brain tumor. Some other purported causes of
puberty are a high-fat diet or obesity.

It's always best to go to your doctor and get checked if you notice any signs of puberty
earlier than what's considered a “normal” age. In females, these signs can include
breast development, pubic and underarm hair development, height growth,
menstruation, “mature” body odor and acne. For males, these signs can be enlargement
of the testes, pubic, underarm, or facial hair growth, rapid height growth, deepening of
the voice, acne and “mature” body odor.
Precocious puberty can cause stunted growth in both males and females. Since growth
ends when puberty ends, though a child will initially be taller than their peers, they may
stop growing before their peers.

Precocious puberty can also create emotional and psychological distress. Having a
mature body before your peers can be a cause of embarrassment, but it definitely does
not need to be. Talk to a trusted friend, relative, parent or even a health counselor if
you're ever feeling uncomfortable about your body and the changes occurring in it.