Parent Forums Tag: High School

Parent Forums Tag: High School - Recent Topics http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/forums/tags/high-school Parenting Counseling Discussion en-US Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:53:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.1 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/forums/search.php Scott on "Child Development of a High School Child" http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/forums/topic/child-development-of-a-high-school-child#post-13 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:33:11 +0000 Scott 13@http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/forums/ As your child is growing and developing physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually, it’s important for parents to recognize what stage of development their child is at. Parents who recognize the differences in the developmental growth stages are often more successful in parenting. Read through the developmental differences listed below. Keep in mind that children grow at different rates with different degrees of success and failure. As always, it's important for parents to check with their pediatrician while their child is progressing through the developmental stages described in this article. Physical Development Steady and slow growth development occurs in children in this age group. Some body pains, especially in the legs and knees are common. Check with your medical doctor if growth pains persist. High school students gradually take control over both fine and gross motor skills For example: high school students become more proficient in art (handling paint brushes) and physical education (dribbling a basketball). Children in this age group begin to demonstrate adult-like physical traits. Shaving is now a common occurrence for both boys and girls. Parents should: Help the child begin to become involved in physical activities that they can do for the rest of their lives. Yes, football and volleyball are great, but individuals can play golf and dance for an entire lifetime! Begin to limit competitive activities when the child becomes overwhelmed or physically stressed. Encourage fun, safe and physical activities that include you and their peer group. Become knowledgeable of steroids, weight gain products and weight gain techniques that are not being managed by weight train professionals. Research has proven that steroid use and Creatine maxing can be harmful to the body and even cause death. KNOW WHAT YOUR CHILD’S PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES INVOLVE! Intellectual Development Steady growth in learning begins to occur again between the ages of 14 and16 years of age. Children close the age of 16 often begin to develop an analytical solution process to solve their analytical questions. Attention span becomes more adult-like: 50-60 minutes. High school students are more interested in what they are learning when they are given an opportunity to apply what they learn. Parents should: Begin to listen and learn the child’s true interests in life. This does not necessary mean career choices, but what interest they have in the academic areas provided in school and out-of-school interest. Become familiar with the child’s high school academic schedule options. Most schools have online computer options for parents to view academic choices. Contact a school counselor for more information. Become familiar with graduation and post secondary requirements. Attend the parent seminars provided by the high school guidance department that provides parents with these requirements. Current research (as described in Dr. David Walsh’s book: Why Do They Act That Way?) indicates that the human brain is not fully developed until an individual is in his or her twenties. 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, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/SS/SS5505.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/SS/SS5505.pdf</a>, 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. Social Development High school students begin to become more accepting of people who are different from them. High school students begin to open their social group to include others who they were once uncomfortable being with. High school students will begin to search for the right answers. They will also seek out other adult input when the adult is non-judgmental, over-reactive and willing to listen. Parents should: Continue to communicate with the high school child to discuss current friends, dating, peer pressure and life choices. Help your high school child plan acceptable social activities. Parents who want to help their child plan a party in their home must also help the child understand that the parent may be liable if an injury occurs or a community law is broken. Plan larger social activities with other parents who can help monitor the social gathering with you. It’s wise to limit the number of high school students who attend a gathering in a home. Do not provide alcohol or allow high school students to drink alcohol in your home. It is against the law and parents can be legally charged and prosecuted. Avoid picking your child’s friends for him or her. Your child will most likely continue to “hang” with this friend in other places that you have no control over. If you disapprove of one of your child’s friends because they do not follow the values that you are trying to instill in your child, speak to your child alone about your concern. Be specific. For example: “I am concerned about you being with this person because she smokes. How is her smoking affecting you?” Stay calm and avoid being judgmental. Most children overtime conform and adhere to the values that the parent instills in them. Parenting can be one of the greatest rewards that one may experience in a lifetime. The more you know about your child's developmental stages in life, the greater chance you have in succeeding as a parent! Do you have a parenting questions regarding your high school child? Go to: <a href="http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/ask-a-counselor/">Parenting Counselor</a>