Human Development: Ages 11 to 15
September 16, 2009 by K12Genie Staff
Child development, or human development, is the process of a person becoming physically, emotionally, and socially mature. The following list of characteristics can be expected for someone who is from the ages of 11 to 15 years old. These characteristics may not be applicable or comprehensive for every individual. This list is part of a series of articles on K12Genie that group children by age and list characteristics of human development. By providing you with this information, we hope it helps you better understand children and ultimately better relate with them. If you are the child, it is our interest that this information helps you better understand yourself.
Ages 11 to 15
- Experience early adolescence, a period of rapid growth and change
- Begin process to attain adult appearance and sexual maturity
- Physical awkwardness and restlessness are common as a result of rapid and uneven physical growth
- Wide variations in physical maturity occur
- Girls begin their adolescent growth about 2 years ahead of boys
- Girls tend to reach physiological (biological) maturity earlier than boys
- May tire easily
- As physical growth nears completion, increased muscular development and resistance to fatigue make new skills and activities possible
- Team sports assume a greater importance
- Development of formal abstract thinking
- Judgment may be hampered by lack of experience and emotional impatience
- Open to accepting differences between and among other young people
- Seek a sense of security or acceptance through “us” and “them”
- Preoccupation with sexuality and approaching adulthood
- Concerned with relating to the opposite gender
- Concerned with sexuality and sexual orientation
- Self-conscious about dress and appearance
- May become shy
- Peer loyalties become strong and conduct is often determined by the values and standards set by the peer group
- Tendency to become extremely emotional when dealing with conflicts in social relationships
- Can become highly critical of adults, yet form strong attachments with adults who show personal interest
- May experience conflict with parents over independence
- May experience conflict between parental values and those of the peer group
- May experience deep feelings of rejection during conflicts involving behavior and authority issues
- Developing their own sense of morality and worldview
