Child Development: High School Children

2008 February 10 by: Scott

Emotional Development

Mood fluctuations may still be common, but emotional stability begins to occur as they enter their junior or senior year in high school.

As high school students begin to accept more responsibilities (driving a car, dating, getting a job etc.) they will begin to show more signs of emotional maturity.

High school students are more adult-like with their emotions. However, they lack adult experience to handle adult emotional issues.

High school students desire and must be given more independence before they leave the home.
Parents should:

Realize the emotional stress that high school students face each day. Consider the following:

Nationwide high school surveys and at-risk teen inventories such as one provided by MMWR, http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/SS/SS5505.pdf, indicate more and more high school students are becoming involved in unsafe, at-risk behaviors. A high percentage of high school students are searching for stress relief options that may include drugs, sex, negative aggression (fights) and criminal behavior. An over abundance of pressure placed on many high school students to attend college, secure a good job and become successful are often leading stress factors sited in teen surveys. Parents need to become aware of the results of their child’s school, county, state and national youth surveys.

Speak with your high school student and put together a balanced plan that includes the appropriate amount of activities. Many high school students are running from one activity to the next. Combined with family responsibilities and schoolwork, many children become exhausted and overwhelmed. Putting together a written goal-oriented plan is important! Plan short and long-term goals keeping in mind your child’s overall physical and emotional make-up.

Watch for sudden changes in behavior or mood swings. If your child begins to show a sudden change in friends, begins to isolate, not talk, becomes angry, or displays unusual or uncommon behaviors, consult your child’s high school counselor or medical doctor.