Child development.

At this age kids are usually in junior high and early high school.  They may have the same activities they’ve always enjoyed, but they may also develop different interests as they mature.  A significant portion of their time is spent at school and with friends, so make sure you make time to get to know what they’re doing and who they’re with. 

They are slowly becoming more independent, and may become more insistent on spending time away from the family.  However, while they are starting to be able to do more complex decision making and are able to see some consequences of their actions, they are still often ruled by their emotions.   

Child growth.

Growth at these ages can still be widely different from one child to another especially due to when puberty starts in any one child.  We do still chart them on the growth chart, as seeing their individual growth curve can tell us if they’re growing well or not.

General health.

We do our yearly physical exam on your child.  Ideally the child would be giving most of the information, with the caregiver filling in as needed.

Food and nutrition.

We still recommend a healthy, balanced diet.  With all the activities families are involved in it can be hard to have good meals, sometimes.  Take at least a few nights a week for a sit down family meal together.

Health history.

Let your pediatrician know about any ER or urgent care visits, and any specialists your child has been to since the last visit.

Family history.

Let your pediatrician know if there were any new significant issues or diseases in the family.  These can let your pediatrician know if there are any tests to do, or parts of the physical exam they should especially pay attention to.  

Social history.

We still continue to ask about any new situations in your family.

Safety and health issues.

Since most children will have at least started puberty at this point, they will often be interested in romantic relationships.  Talk with your child about dating, your expectations, possible risks, and answer questions they may have.

Use of safety equipment is still important.  Many children this age aren’t riding bikes anymore, but make sure they wear helmets when they do, and with other things like scooters or skateboards.  Make sure they’re wearing their seatbelt in the car.  And discuss with them and their coach any safety equipment needed for their activities.  

Many children this age can develop depression and anxiety.  Be alert for things like changes in behavior, school grades, and decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities.  Having a stable adult to count on can definitely help.

Continue to monitor your child’s activity online.  Children aren’t as aware of possible dangers and future consequences of posting certain material online for all to see.  Also, bullying online can be even more damaging than in person, so keep track of what your child is reading and writing to others.

Vaccines.

There are no scheduled vaccines for this age group.  At each visit, your pediatrician will look at the shot record/vaccine card to make sure there aren’t any missing vaccines that need to be caught up on.   

Links.

Information for parents of teens.