Understand the Unique Needs of an Early Adolescent

Peggy R. Anderson

Extension Agent

December 30, 2009

Annie’s Project

Just a reminder that the registration costs for Annie’s Project will be going up by $35 starting January 6^th. We need to have at least 8 to 10 to hold the class in Crosby. If you plan on attending please get your registration into the Grand Forks office as soon as possible.

Understand the Unique Needs of an Early Adolescent

One of the toughest jobs in the world is being a parent. And being the parent of a young adolescent – those children between the ages of 10 and 15 – can be extremely difficult.

“The young adolescent years are a time when youngsters leave childhood and move toward full adolescence,” said Debbie Richardson, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension parenting assistant specialist. “These years have been called the second most important time in a person’s development. It’s a time when a young person starts making choices that can have a lasting effect for years to come, including decisions about values, attitudes, friends and lifestyles.”

Rapid growth, both physically and emotionally, takes place at this time. While they are reaching out to discover who they are, adolescents still need support from adults who care for them, including parents, family members, teachers, mentors and others who come into contact with them.

Richardson said it is important for parents to be prepared for these important years in their child’s life. “Being prepared is one of the best tools a parent can have. Be ready for occasional conflicts,” she said. “Think through what’s really important. Ask yourself if a child’s hairstyle is as important as homework. As these give-and-take situations begin, know ahead of time what areas you’re willing to negotiate and what areas that are nonnegotiable.”

Many middle schoolers are adjusting to a new environment in school, including having more than one teacher, switching classes every hour and keeping up with more homework than they may be used to.

If this is the case in your household, help your child set up a manageable set of goals to keep on top of things such as homework, band or sports practices or simply keeping their rooms clean

“It can be overwhelming if a child suddenly realizes they’re several assignments behind in math and they still have an hour of practice time left on their band instrument or piano,” Richardson said. “Parents should encourage their child to keep a daily list of what needs to be accomplished. It may be necessary to assign a specific amount of time to each task so that it can be completed by the end of the week. Keep in mind that it can take some adolescents up to a year or so to adjust to additional responsibilities.”

Parents also need to remember that they should be willing to listen, but do not poke or pry too hard to get information. Kids at this age value independence and often can appear to be secretive. Keeping to themselves is part of the separateness they are trying to create.

“However, always let your child know that you’d love to help them with a project or assignment, but don’t be disappointed if they choose to do it on their own,” she said. “Kids know their parents have the ultimate authority, but parents don’t have to prove it all the time. Save your strength for those issues that really are nonnegotiable. Your child is developing his or her own power to handle more situations and, as parents, you want them to practice using it wisely.”

A Healthy Diet Should be Full of Color

While some things are black and white, your dinner plate is one place that should be full of color. Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables on a daily basis provides the body with numerous vitamins, minerals, fiber and other compounds needed for a healthy lifestyle, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist.

“Fruits and vegetables in the diet are extremely important because they provide needed nutrients to help ensure good health. The USDA MyPyramid contains recommendations regarding how to get enough fruits and vegetables into your diet. Not only do these foods taste great, they also contain nutrients that may lower your risk of certain types of cancer and heart disease.”

Fruits are shown by the red band and vegetables are indicated by the green band in the USDA MyPyramid. Just a few years ago, research indicated that 84 percent of Oklahomans did not eat enough fruits and vegetables.

The amount a person needs each day from the USDA MyPyramid fruit and vegetable group will depend on age, gender and level of physical activity. For a reference 2,000 calorie diet, the USDA MyPyramid recommends two cups of fruit and two and one-half cups of vegetables each day. The MyPyramid’s Web site is http://www.mypyramid.gov.

Herman said getting children to eat the recommended number of servings per day can be tricky. She recommends the following suggestions:

• Let your child pick a fruit or vegetable at the grocery store.
• Let your child tell you what fruits and vegetables are in your kitchen.
• Let your child keep track of the different colors of fruits and vegetables they eat. See what different colors of fruits and vegetables they have during the week.
• Help your child make a poster of fruits and vegetables. Hang it up in the kitchen to remind them to eat fruits and vegetables each day.

“It’s important to include a rainbow of colors in your fruit and vegetable selections, including purple, green, white, yellow, orange and red,” Hermann said. “Adding a variety of color to your plate will provide important nutrients for good health.”

Schedule:

Wednesday, December 30 – Burke County

Thursday, December 31 – Burke County

Friday, January 1 – New Year’s Day

Monday, January 4 – Burke County

Tuesday, January 5 – Divide County