Child development and puberty

When your child was younger, they reached different milestones, such as sitting up, crawling, and starting to talk. You may have been given an idea of the ages when these things usually happen.

Children keep developing when they start school. You will probably notice them becoming more independent and learning new skills very quickly.

They will also start to build stronger friendships and form closer relationships with the people around them. For information about healthy relationships, visit our Healthy relationships page.

All children develop at different speeds and it is normal for them to do things at different times compared to their friends. For more detailed information about child development and positive parenting tips for different ages, visit the website CDC: Child development - Positive Parenting Tips. 

If you are worried about your child’s development, you can talk to a school nurse or your GP.

Puberty

Puberty is the word used to describe the time when the body starts to change and develop, both physically and mentally. This usually happens between the ages of 8 and 18, and it prepares the body so that one day a person can have children.

Everyone goes through puberty at different times and speeds, so don’t worry if your child seems a bit earlier or later than their friends.

For more information about puberty, you can visit the websites:

• Childline: Puberty
• Brook: Puberty

If you or your child are worried about puberty, you can talk to a school nurse or your GP.

Sleep

Sleep is very important for everyone, especially children, because it helps with healthy growth and development.

• Children aged 6 to 12 should try to get 9 to 12 hours of sleep.
• Children aged 13 to 18 should try to get 8 to 10 hours of sleep.

Falling asleep can sometimes be difficult. 'Sleep hygiene' means the things we can do to help us fall asleep faster, stay asleep, and sleep better overall. Ways to improve sleep hygiene include:

• Try to not eat a big meal right before bed — wait at least an hour after dinner before going to sleep.
• Avoid drinks with caffeine later in the day. Caffeine is in most cola drinks.
• Get some fresh air and physical activity every day.
• Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day — even at weekends.
• Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature — not too hot and not too cold.
• Avoid TV, phones or tablets before bed. The light from screens can make your brain feel more awake.

For more information about sleep, including more sleep hygiene tips download Helping your child get a good night’s sleep.