This is a heavy question and often involves many different levels. You want your child to be happy, well educated and well-rounded, and above all to be on the “right track”. But what does that mean to you and how do you know what is the right track for your child?

All children grow at their own pace and develop at different times. Making sure they are on track can include staying healthy, being active, maintaining and developing positive relationships or earning good grades. Development is different at each stage of their life too, so there are some milestones to look for.

Early years
It is important to remember that milestones are flexible and the times in which they occur are only approximations, so don’t stress out if your child seems to be behind developmentally. Basically, during the first five years of your child’s life they will learn to crawl and then walk, they learn to communicate and begin to learn how to interact with others. Here are is a list of the first to five year milestones.

Adolescence
Between the ages of six and 13 your child will experience slower physical growth, at a rate of approximately 2.5 inches and 8 pounds per year. They will lose their baby teeth and baby fat and begin to develop more muscle. When your child is between the ages of nine and 12 they may experience a growth spurt with some added fat and a slight loss of coordination. This is when puberty begins, so be prepared to answer some strange or uncomfortable questions they may have.

Teenage years
This is when the real fun begins. Your teen may distance themselves from you, wanting to spend more time with friends and be more concerned with being “cool”. Mood swings are common during this time and some teens go through brief spurts of depression. This is a good time to talk with your child, make them feel important and show them that you are listening.  Also, be prepared for dating, parties and curfews and set rules ahead of time.

Every child is different, even children in the same family will develop of different speeds and you will probably have to take a unique approach for each child. Remember that patience is a virtual and communication is vital. Try to strike a balance between being too strict and too lax, and be prepared for your rules and limits to be tested.

Additional Resources
    •    NYU Child Study Center
    •    Preschoolers
    •    Teens
    •    Caring and care for Kids and Children ages 5-9
    •    Help Parenting Tweens, Preteens and Young Adolescents ages 10-14
    •    Help Parenting Teenagers and High School Teens Ages 15 and Up
    •    How to Talk With Your Kids…About Anything
    •    Parenthood.com – Topics A - Z
    •    Research Shows Parent Involvement in Education Important to Student Success