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Who Is Your Junior High Youngster?
To attempt to describe the average twelve- to fourteen-year-old is a complex and difficult undertaking. This is an age of rapid and profound growth. Physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual developments are all taking place in these young teens. While peers are a very strong influence at this age, adults continue to be important in the lives of young teens. This is particularly true when they are troubled, fearful, or unsure of situations in which they find themselves. Because twelve- to fourteen-year-olds are more able to think abstractly than in previous years, they now have the capacity for critical reflection on their experiences and how they can find God in their lives. Faith traditions and moral guidance can offer this age group the structure and security they need during this turbulent time.
Physical Characteristics
- Young teens are entering or about to enter puberty.
- Physical growth can vary greatly from child to child.
- Change can seem to happen overnight.
- Abstract reasoning is more developed.
- Capacity for critical reflection is developing.
- Attention span has increased.
- There is great diversity of ability in this age group as new skills
develop.
- Peer influence is very strong.
- Respect for parents and other adults is still retained.
- It is very important that young teens are accepted for the unique persons they are.
Young Teens:
- have increased conscience formation.
- seek freedom, but still need structure.
- challenge and question beliefs and norms of the community.
- are able to be more reflective of themselves and their experiences.
- place importance on faith tradition as an anchor and support when
everything else is in flux.
- need their questions welcomed and need to be encouraged in their self-expression.
Growing as Catholic Christians
Junior high young people are at a critical time in their development.
It is important that each young teen be given the opportunity to discover
their own unique gifts and the personhood given to them by God. The traditions
and beliefs of the Church can be an anchor in a world that is otherwise
changing at a frightening rate of speed. Parents play an important role
in the growth of the students as Catholic Christians. Parents can accept
the challenging questions students will ask and respond in a positive
and affirming manner.
We asked a group of junior high youngsters
what they would like a parent to know about them. Here's what they said:
I Wish You Would...
