Assignment 10 - The Early Teens

Now that Katie Anne has joined the ranks of early adolescence, she continues to play soccer just as she did in middle school. She tried out for the high school soccer team and made it! She seems to be very serious about learning every aspect of the game. I am happy she is having such a good time with the sport and we enjoy going to the games.

Katie Anne and some her friends went camping with a close friend's parents. Katie Anne had a great time, and one of the parents who went on the trip taught her how to use a compass and read a topographical map. On the first day, Katie Anne hiked one of the more difficult trails, and on the second day, she led the group on five mile hike. She always has loved sports.

Katie Anne occasionally gets upset and becomes cranky or gives me the silent treatment when we have discussions about issues such as bedtime, chores, curfew, clothing choices, music choices, etc., but otherwise we get along pretty well. We aren't going to get anywhere by continuing the discussions, so I usually drop it and let her calm down for a while before speaking to her again. Of course, these behaviors occur as a normal part of growth and development. We make sure we communicate often and that Katie Anne knows she can come to us with a problem. So far she hasn't rebelled and shut us out for long periods of time.

Cognitively and physically Katie Anne is changing in early adolescence. She wants to hang out with boys, so we allow her to see them in groups or at his house or our home where there is adult supervision. Katie Anne also worries about her looks more as she needs braces. Our text suggests that she will be self-conscious and concerned about her body image (Berk, 290) and she is. Our text suggests that parent involvement helps ease transition from middle school to high school (Berk, 306). So we are sure that Katie Anne knows we are here to help her manage her time. She has adjusted to the transition of high school fairly well, however, the stress of homework means she must manage her time better. We set aside time each day to do homework and I try to make a point to model good time management. Our text suggests that her peer influences will play an important role at this time in her life and that she will choose friends who share her values (Berk, 307). So we encourage her in those friendships. She has two close friends that share her values (which we are happy to say are the values we find important).