Child Development: Growing at Different Rates

Many kinds of growing

As children get older, they change in several ways at once:

• physically
• intellectually
• socially
• emotionally

They mature at very different rates, so it's hard to say what "normal" is.

Bodies

Healthy children can differ a lot in height, weight and build. Diet, exercise and genes all play a part. Some children start puberty, or are close to it, before they're teenagers.

Independence and friends

• Children begin to separate from their parents, and they may rebel.
• They look outward, to friends — usually of the same sex.
• Peer approval becomes very important, and your child may try new behaviors to fit in with "the group."

Watch for problems

This is also when parents or teachers may first notice learning disabilities or behavioral problems. These can get worse over time, so it's important to get help early.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Child Development," National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.