Cognitive Developments of a Thirteen Year Old

Cognitive development means the growth of a child’s ability to think and reason. Up to 12 years of age, children develop the ability to think in concrete ways for e.g. learning how to add, subtract, alphabetize etc. These things are called concrete because they’re done around objects and events. Age 13 onwards, the cognitive development takes another path. Teens start on more complex thinking. This includes the ability to do abstract thinking, reason from known principles, consider many points of view, think about the process of thinking.

Some of the things to be expected at age 13 years are as follows: 

• They develop the ability to think abstractly. Instead of thinking only in terms of tangible objects, they start understanding concepts such as faith and trust.

• They however, still have difficulty thinking about the future.

• They struggle to understand the consequences of their behaviour before they act. 

• They are more likely to engage in rash behaviour because they think they’re immune from anything bad happening to them. 

• Some may start feeling that no one understands them. As they mature, they begin to develop a better understanding of how other people perceive them.

• They start having an opinion on many topics. As a result, they tend to question authority and society norms. 

• They are likely to recognize that breaking rules under certain conditions isn’t always wrong.

• At 13, your child starts talking similar to adults. They are able to comprehend and use abstract language, such as figurative speech and metaphors. 

• Having fun with friends becomes an important social outlet. It can also be instrumental in helping your teen manage stress.

Parents can help their children by talking to them about the many ways one can solve a single problem. Encourage them to brainstorm several solutions to a problem before taking action. This can improve the child’s judgment and give them opportunities to practice their critical thinking skills. Include them in discussions about a variety of topics and current affairs. Encourage them to share their ideas and thoughts. Compliment and praise your teen for well-thought-out decisions. Help him or her in re-evaluating poorly made decisions.

Stay Tuned! Stay Relevant!