Children's Health

continued...

Promote your adolescent's cognitive development by doing the following:

• Help your child develop more mature ways of thinking. Let your child make as many of his or her own decisions as possible. This includes involving your adolescent in setting household rules and schedules. Talk about current issues together, whether it be school projects or world affairs. Brainstorm different ways to solve problems, and discuss their possible outcomes. Consider giving an allowance, to help teach your child about financial responsibility.

Promote your adolescent's sensory and motor development by doing the following:

• Encourage your child to exercise every day. Vigorous exercise, such as running, biking, or playing soccer or basketball, helps your adolescent to stay lean and to have a healthy heart.¹ Vigorous exercise also helps your child feel good. If your child is not used to exercise, encourage light to moderate exercise, such as walking, at first. Be careful about expecting too much too soon. Too much exercise at first can make your child tired, and he or she may not want to exercise as much.¹ Gradually build up exercise to make it more likely that your child will stay with it. For more information on exercise, see the topics:
  • Physical Activity for Children and Teens.
  • Fitness: Getting and Staying Active.