Ministry

Characteristics Of A Typical 13 Year Old

By jgiroux ⋅ June 25, 2008 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

This is a four part series outlining the basic characteristics of a typical junior high aged students. This is just a foundational list that all are encouraged to add to based on their experience or expertise.

Characteristics of a Typical Thirteen Year Old

Physical:

• High physical energy
• Skin problems emerging; hygiene a key issue
• Girls: 95% of mature height in average girl; menstruating has begun for most
• Boys: voice change for many; growth spurt about a year behind girls

Social:

• Neatness a key issue with personal appearance, not with personal environment
• The mirror is their best friend and worst enemy
• Often quieter than 12’s or 14’s
• Like to be alone at home
• Feelings easily hurt and can easily hurt other’s feelings
• Mean = scared
• Touchy; flaring anger
• Close friendships more obviously important to girls
• Boys hang in groups or formal gangs
• Girls more interested in older boys
• Strong sports interest in both genders
• Telephone, computer, video games and other electronic diversions a major factor
• Music becoming a major preoccupation
• Peer pressure increasing regarding dress, language, music, in-out, being cool
• Worries about school work
• Humor highlighted by growth of sarcasm
• Horseplay, practical jokes still high in boys
• Collections of things (jewelry, make-up, CD’s)

Language:

• One word answers to adult questions (minimal feedback)
• Street language/peer language important
• Extreme language and volume in face of parental involvement
• Rudeness

Cognitive:

• Withdrawn and sensitive nature is protective of developing self-concept and intellectual ideas that remain not fully formed
• Abstract reasoning and “formal operations” begin to be functoinal in some 13’s
• Tentative approach to difficult intellectual tasks; not willing to take big learning risks
• Like to challenge intellectual as well as social authority