Puberty

Coping with the stages of puberty

Puberty can be an exciting time for your child, because it is a step toward becoming an adult. However, it is also quite a confusing and strange time because of all of the physical and emotional changes that the child goes through. Handling puberty can be difficult for parents because they don't want to think about their children developing into sexual beings – often, parents want their children to remain children. In light of this, dealing with puberty isn't easy for anyone in the family.

The Stages of Puberty

Puberty will begin when the child's body is ready for it. This is determined by the hypothalamus in the brain. Most female puberty begins between the ages of 8 and 14, and its first stage is breast development. Male puberty typically begins a bit later, between the ages of 10 and 15. The first stage of puberty for boys is growth in the testicles and in the penis.

The next stage of puberty for both boys and girls involves hair growth on the legs and underarms as well as in the pubic area. During this stage, kids become taller and may increase in weight. After this stage, boys develop an Adam's apple, which causes their voices to crack. They also begin to develop sperm. Girls may begin menstruation at this stage, although their cycles will likely be irregular.

During the next stage of puberty, usually in the teen years, most girls have begun to menstruate and their pubic hair has fully formed. Boys will grow more muscles and their shoulders will become broader. Both boys and girls are likely to develop acne.

In the final stage of teen puberty, girls will reach full adult height and their breast development will be complete. As for boys, they may begin to grow facial hair and chest hair. They will also reach their adult height during this stage.

Early Puberty

Because each child is unique, there is no way to tell the proper age for reaching puberty. Some children do develop too early, however, when suffering from a condition called precocious puberty. This condition can cause health complications, so parents should always consult a doctor or pediatrician if their child shows signs of puberty too early. For girls, this would be before the age of seven; for boys, this would be before the age of nine.