11 to 18 Years
Developmental Stages & Accomplishments
• Youth pushes for freedom of choice and greater independence.
• Experiences physical and emotional changes.
Ability to anticipate outcomes is limited and erratic.
Teens often think, “it won’t happen to me”.
• Strong need for peer approval and experimentation.
- Parent, be a good role model!
- Buckle up every ride, every time; front and back seat.
- Have clear expectation about family rules: Zero-Tolerance for speeding, alcohol/drug use and texting/cell phones.
- Teach your teen to swim with a partner, every time. Do not allow children to swim alone.
- Teach your teen pool rules, and never to play or swim near drains or suction outlets.
- Teach children swimming in the ocean are not the same as a pool (uneven surfaces, currents and weather changes).
- Have your children learn CPR.
- Bring a water bottle and take regular breaks.
- Know signs and symptoms of dehydration and get medical care immediately: muscle cramping, faintness or dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat.
- Make sure to have the right equipment and wear it for both practice and games.
- Know the signs and symptoms of concussion and seek medical care immediately.
- Teach your teen about the dangers of drugs and alcohol
- Know who your teen’s friends are and where they hang out
- Speak to your teen about the dangers of inhalants and abusing prescription medicines
- Know warning signs of teens who are feeling suicidal: Withdrawal from friends/family; depression; talking, writing or hinting about suicide; previous attempts; feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
- Teach children to resolve conflict without aggression.
- Encourage children to report bullying to an adult.
- Call 911 if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide.
- If you want to talk with someone or need help about suicide prevention call the Crisis Line of Hawai‘i on O‘ahu, 832-3100; Neighbor Island, 1-800-753-6879.
- Store guns out of the home, or keep unloaded and locked in a place separate from ammunition.
- Teach child never to touch a gun, tell an adult if you see one.
- Talk to family and friends about safe gun storage.
- Model healthy behaviors and have open communication about relationships.
- Talk to your teen about teen dating violence.
- Be aware dating violence can be: physical, sexual, stalking and/or emotional.
- Know the warning signs: teen seem afraid to disagree with boy/girlfriend; excessive texting, phone calls; stops hanging out with friends; grades starts declining; has injuries that can’t be explained.
The Start the Conversation Toolkit provides information and tips to help you communicate with the teen or pre-teen in your life about staying safe and developing respectful relationships. Go to website here.