Children’s personal, social and emotional development (PSED) is crucial for children to lead healthy and happy lives, and is fundamental to their cognitive development. Underpinning their personal development are the important attachments that shape their social world. Strong, warm and supportive relationships with adults enable children to learn how to understand their own feelings and those of others.

Children should be supported to manage emotions, develop a positive sense of self, set themselves simple goals, have confidence in their own abilities, to persist and wait for what they want and direct attention as necessary. The teenage years continue at 16. By this age, your child is likely starting to drive, whether with a permit or a full-fledged license. Not only is this, on its own, nerve-wracking, but this newfound freedom also comes with an increasing need for independence, which can cause your teenager to act out toward you. Just remember, the teenage years don’t last forever!

Your 16-19 is also starting to consider what they want to do in their future. For those interested in attending college, this is when you may start taking them to visit colleges or help them prepare for standardized tests.

They are more abrasive and sometimes rude when talking; May be less communicative; Seems to love arguing; Changes their language and behaviours between school and home. They are more emphatic when expressing opinions, Shows signs of confidence, Begins making decisions with their independence in mind, Begins developing a worldview and a basic set of values, Shows more signs of sexual interest, Becomes aware of sexual orientation, Enters into deeper platonic or romantic relationships; Has increasing resistance to peer pressure; Begins relating to family better