Growth and Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years How do children grow
and develop between ages 11 and 14? The ages 11 through 14 years
are often referred to as early adolescence. These years are an
exciting time of many varied and rapid changes. Your child grows
taller and stronger and also starts to feel and think in more
mature ways. You may feel amazed as you watch your child begin
to turn into an adult. But this can be a confusing time for both
kids and parents. Both must get used to the new person the child
is becoming. From ages 11 through 14, a child develops in four
main areas: - Physical development. Adolescence is a time of
change throughout the body. A growth spurt usually occurs near
the time of puberty. Girls begin to develop breasts and start
their periods. Boys grow facial hair. Both boys and girls grow
pubic hair. Boys may lag behind girls in height during these
years, but they usually end up taller. - Cognitive development.
This is how the brain develops the abilities to think, learn,
reason, and