The development of an 18 year old child, is it appropriate? & bull; hello healthy

The age of 18 years is a stage of adolescent development that falls into the category late. There are several aspects of a teenager's life that will change considerably. Therefore, they will try to find out what things need to be done. For parents, understand the development of 18 year olds as below.

Developmental aspects of children aged 18 years

Not just numbers, of course there are significant changes in adolescents at this age.

Moreover, if you compare it to teenagers in the category early, such as the development of a 12 year old child.

It has been mentioned a little above that at the age of 18, children are already in the category late or late in adolescent development.

So, it can be said that at this age he has reached the peak of puberty.

Even though the production of hormones in the child's body is relatively stable, this area of ​​the brain is still developing in some way.

Here are some aspects of child development at the age of 18 that need to be known.

The physical development of an 18 year old child

In the physical development of 18 years old children, both boys and girls are classified as mature. Including for the height that should have reached its peak.

However, it is possible that there are other factors that make teenage boys or girls continue to grow.

Although growth is not very significant, this can occur due to heredity in the family.

Here are some physical developments that generally occur, such as:

• Growth such as height has reached a peak.
• Fine hair in the facial area will continue to grow.
• Weight will continue to increase and adapt to your lifestyle.

At this age, there is no physical development that is quite prominent because it is only the stage of completing growth.

However, at this age, increasing body weight is often a problem for some teenage girls or boys.

Some areas of the body that become a problem due to accumulated fat are the arms, stomach, and thighs.

In this phase, it is important for parents to tell their children how to get the ideal body in a healthy way.

Do not let children do various unhealthy ways to cause body image disorders to eating disorders in adolescents.

Cognitive development

What about cognitive development or the way children think at 18 years of age?

At this age there is a possibility that you can see the mindset of teenagers as adults even though the brain is still developing.

There are times when the child is able to understand quite complex conflicts and problems. Plus, he was already thinking about what his future would be like.

This is because the child is already in the final phase of school and will start entering college.

Some cognitive development in children aged 18 years, are:

• Look at the problem with a variety of possibilities.
• Being able to distinguish between right and wrong.
• Consider several options.
• Increase sympathy and empathy.
• Is a period of idealistic minded children.

Quoted from the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, at this time children will change the way they think about themselves, other people, and also the world around them.

Cognitive development becomes a fairly gradual process in adolescent development. From only seeing a problem from one point of view to seeing it from multiple perspectives.

For adolescents who have started thinking about their future desires and goals, there are times when they maintain their idealism.

Therefore, children try to convince parents and provide explanations about things they like.

However, some of them also learn to receive input from their parents, family, friends, about what is good for them in the future.

From here, teenagers value opinions more and open their eyes to the diversity that exists around them.

Psychological development

Not all adolescents at the age of 18 already know their identity and what they want. One of them is choosing what major you want when going to college.

The environment around them can affect not only the mind but also the psychological development of children at 18 years of age.

When it is in the right environment, it can build support system which goes hand in hand with it.

Plus, there is a feeling of pride in what he has accomplished. For example, when he made it to the college he wanted.

When discussing with the right person, he will also think carefully about input that is useful for him.

Some of the picological developments in children aged 18 years, are:

• It is still a bit difficult to control your intentions because they are not emotionally mature.
• Need other people's opinions as a guide.
• Relationships with the opposite sex are getting more intimate.
• Open yourself up to expand friendships.

Emotional development

In general, adolescent girls have a higher emotional side when compared to boys.

Sometimes, this also makes it difficult for him to determine what he wants. Especially if he also wants to follow what his close friends are doing.

As a parent, try to provide input so that he can control himself and think logically what he wants for the future.

In the development of this 18 year old child, he feels there is a little freedom in exploring his new world.

There is both happiness and fear in this phase so he still needs control from his parents so he doesn't get out of line.

Social development

It is natural for you as a parent to feel worried when your child is already in a relationship with the opposite sex.

Before banning it, it is possible that he will ask what was the basis of this. As a parent, try to share your worries with your child.

Provide understanding and understanding of sex education as early as possible, for example when the child is still at the age of 12 or the development of a child at 15 years.

There is nothing wrong with providing boundaries that must be maintained by him when he has a relationship with the opposite sex.

Then, how is the child's relationship with his closest friend? Friendly relations are quite stable because they are closely related.

Unlike the friends he knows in a new environment, he will be more selective and see if his characteristics will match.

Language development

Not much different from the development of children aged 17 years, at this age adolescents can adjust themselves in the context of talking to other people.

For example, adjusting the way you talk to peers, closest friends, family, as well as older people.

If the child is also active in paying attention to life on social media, there is a possibility that he is following the current language trend.

Even though he doesn't say it directly, he finds out what terms the crowd is using.

Tips to help the development of children 18 years

Being more independent is what teenagers at the age of 18 will do.

However, there are times when he still needs support from his parents even though he often doesn't want to show it.

Moreover, when he is experiencing some problems and needs advice that he usually doesn't want to hear.

Building communication is the first thing parents can do to maintain relationships with teenagers.

Not only that, openness to communication is also one of the prevention of depression in adolescents.

Here are some other things you can do for the development of your 18 year old child.

1. Listening to what the child wants

It has been explained above that in the development of an 18 year old child, he has started thinking about what he wants.

Good for the desire to continue to which college and major he enjoys doing.

There are times when parents want their children to have the best. However, don't forget to find out if your desires are the same as hers or not.

After listening to what he wants, invite the child to discuss it so that he too feels he can choose his path in life.

2. Provide support for new opportunities

Although the pressure from social relationships has started to decrease, there are times when adolescents compare themselves to others.

In fact, the achievements of other people with ourselves are of course different.

Remind children that they don't need to follow other people and focus on their goals.

If he will try things that have never been done in the family, find solutions together and provide support to increase his confidence.

For example, in your family the profession of a lawyer has been a hereditary habit. However, children have talents and want to enter design school.

Don't get angry right away and disagree. Find out if it is the real thing passion-his.

3. Watch for changes in behavior

Did you know that depression is one of the main causes of health problems among teenagers?

Without realizing it, the changes that adolescents show can also cause them to experience mental health problems.

This can start when he has a confidence crisis, does not want to interact with friends, has problems, and experiences sleep disturbances.

Always remind your child that you will always be there for him and will help find solutions when things go wrong.

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