Brain
Adolescence is an important time for your childs brain development. Changes in the teenage brain affect your
childs behaviour and social skills. So your child will begin to develop improved self-control and skills in
planning, problem-solving and decision-making. This process will continue into your childs early 20s.
Bones, organs and body systems
Many of your childs organs will change in size and capacity. Lung performance improves, limbs grow, and
bones increase in thickness and volume. The chest and shoulders get broader in boys. In girls, the hips and
pelvis get wider.
Clumsiness and coordination
Because children grow so fast during this period, their centres of gravity change and their brains might take a
while to adjust. This might affect your childs balance. You might see a bit more clumsiness or poor
coordination for a while, and your childs chances of injury might also increase during this time.
Physical strength and sports skills
Muscle strength and size increase during this period. Your childs handeye coordination will continue to
improve over time, along with motor skills such as ball-catching and throwing.