12 Years

Milestones

Around 12 years old, many children:

• Social

  • Are more patient and able to handle frustration
  • Are more able to think and act on their own and less dependent on parents
  • Start develop their own moral principles
  • Are more sensitive about their body and want more privacy
  • Enjoy the chance to take on extra responsibilities
  • May have sudden impulses, sometimes make bad judgments, and get more aggressive

• Communication

  • Show signs of thoughtful listening
  • Switch between formal, casual, and slang language, based on audience

• Learning

  • Get better at problem-solving
  • Challenge adult knowledge
  • Use long-term memory to understand and solve complex problems

• Physical Development

  • Show advanced signs of puberty, including the growth of body hair
  • Have growth spurts at different rates and times
  • Start to develop different sleep patterns, sleeping longer and getting up later

• Health

  • Have 5 to 9 ounces of grains daily, including whole grains (1 ounce equals ½ cup oatmeal, ½ cup of rice, 5 whole wheat crackers, 1 slice of whole wheat bread, or ½ cup cooked pasta).
  • Have 2 to 3 ½ cups of vegetables daily (such as ½ cup baby carrots, ½ cup broccoli, ½ avocado, and ½ cup sliced peppers).
  • Have 1 ½ to 2 cups of fruits daily (such as 1 medium apple, 1 banana, and ½ cup berries). Fresh, frozen canned or dried all count.
  • Have 4 to 6 ½ ounces of protein daily (1 ounce equals 1 egg, ¼ cup of beans or lentils, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, or ¼ cup tofu). Protein foods include beans, lentils, tofu, nuts and nut butter, poultry, fish, eggs and meat.
  • Have 3 cups of dairy or suitable substitute daily. This includes whole cow’s milk, whole plain yogurt, or unsweetened fortified soy beverage.
  • Drink water at or between meals for thirst.

Act early by talking to a doctor, teacher, or social worker if your child:

• Act Early

  • Goes off topic in conversation often
  • Distances themself from relationships that were close
  • Starts to engage in high-risk behavior, such as using drugs and alcohol
  • Spends more and more time watching TV
  • Gains and loses weight quickly