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Anticipatory guidance for 12-year-old

Growth & Development

Female: Your child will continue to grow for several more years, typically until around 15. If your daughter hasn’t already, she may soon start her period. Menstrual cramps can be controlled with over-the-counter Tylenol and Ibuprofen along with heating pads or warm baths. If those don’t control her cramps or she has heavy periods, please let us know so we can see how she can be helped. Development of gross (running, walking, climbing) and fine (picking up small items, using fingers for tasks) motor skills are fully developed but can continue to be fine-tuned to your child’s hobbies (sports, sewing, drawing, etc.) (Garzon et al., 2025).

Male: Your child will continue to grow for several more years, typically until around 17. You may start to notice your son’s voice beginning to change as he progresses through puberty.  Development of gross (running, walking, climbing) and fine (picking up small items, using fingers for tasks) motor skills are fully developed but can continue to be fine-tuned to your child’s hobbies (sports, sewing, drawing, etc.) (Garzon et al., 2025).

Nutrition: Your child should be consuming three meals a day with snacks as needed. Meals and snacks should be comprised of a variety from all of the food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives), and go-to drinks should be low-fat or fat-free milk and water (U. S. Department of Agriculture, 2022). Around this age children become very aware of their bodies, how they are changing and in comparison, to their peers. It is important to monitor females and males for disordered eating such as anorexia (not eating or eating very little) bulimia (eating and then causing themselves to vomit), and binge (large amount of food intake in one sitting). You may notice excessive exercise as an attempt to lose weight (Daly et al., 2022). Use encouraging words to emphasize health and being healthy as the goal. Reinforce that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, but it does not determine your worth. Continue to provide and encourage a well-balanced diet and set good examples with your own diet (Dahill, 2021). If you think your child has an eating disorder, please do not hesitate to alert us and we can assess the situation.

Sleep: Your child should sleep 8-10 hours per night. If your child has trouble falling asleep make sure their bedroom environment is peaceful, quiet, and comfortable (Suni & Vyas, 2024). Limit electronics and TV an hour before bed, establish a bedtime routine, and ensure your child is being active during the day (Garzon et al., 2023).

Safety: Encourage your child to wear seat belts anytime in an automobile or ATV that has seatbelts, helmets with anything that has wheels, and all protective equipment when playing sports. Continue to reiterate the dangers of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping. Ensure your child knows what to do in emergencies such as fires, medical emergencies, and poison control. Keep firearms unloaded, locked, and stored away from ammunition (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024).

Influences that have the greatest impact on children at this age are their peers. Patents should encourage children to surround themselves with friends who are involved in positive activities (sports, church, volunteering, etc.) and avoid those who make unhealthy decisions (alcohol, smoking, vaping, drugs). Parents should also make all attempts to know who their child is with at all times and set clear boundaries such as where the child can go, with whom, and curfews (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024).

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