12th Grade Development Guide
12 Grade Development Guide
What’s Going on with My 12th Grader?
Congratulations! You have a 12th grader! It is time to finish strong in the adolescent journey. In order to do that, let’s take a look inside the mind and heart of your 12th grader.
Physical Development
• They have developed physically into their adult bodies.
• Sexual desire is awakened, and the temptation to be sexually active is common.
• Stress is a very real physical struggle as they work, perform in school, and prepare for the future.
Emotional Development
The 12th grader may:
• Begin to be very sentimental as they anticipate life change
• Experience calmer moods than in previous years
• Exhibit impulsive behavior with friends and peers
• Be more capable of taking care of others
Relational Development
• Integrating both physical and emotional intimacy into relationships begins.
• Friends that share beliefs, values, and interests are sought.
• Less time may be spent with family, while more time may be spent with peers.
• Peers influence them to try risky behaviors, such as experimenting with alcohol, tobacco, etc.
• The relationship with parents is more of a support system.
• They begin to feel freedom to express themselves as individuals.
Spiritual Development
• They can handle the responsibility of most service positions in various ministries of the parish.
• They have much less interest in the parish’s Youth Ministry’s activities and need to be connected to adult activities in the church.
• They have a greater interest in serving others and in making a difference in the world.
• Role models are developed that inspire them either toward or away from faith.
• There is a temptation to “have their fun now” and be responsible later.