Case Study of Child

Age 13
Leah Findlay
Edu 220
 Physical Behavior
Behavior according to
Typical Physical
Behavior: Snowman:

Changes in height & The changes they experience are

weight “rapid and uneven”

Acne starts appearing “Pubertal development is evident

in practically all girls and many
Body hair starts to grow boys” from ages 11 to 13

Voice changes “Concern and curiosity about

sex”
Concerned with
appearance

(Medline 2017) (Snowman 2013)

Physical Behavior
Child I’m obser ving:
Ernesto has visible armpit
and leg hair
Minor acne
Average height and weight
for a 13 yr. old boy
Voice is not yet done
changing but is drastically
deeper than 2 years ago
Recommendations:
Eat more because he is growing
Skincare routine to prevent
future breakouts
Not to compare himself to
peers
Ask questions about sex to
learn consequences of being
sexually active
(Washington 1993)
 Emotional Behavior
Typical Emotional Behavior:
Worried about grades,
popularity, and appearance
Can show verbal anger
towards authority figures
Awkward stages
Insecure about physical
changes
(Child Development Institute
2015)
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2017)
Behavior according to
Snowman:
“…period of universal “storm
and stress” appears to be an
exaggeration.” meaning
there can be feelings of
confusion, anxiety, and
depression.
Self conscious and self
centered
(Snowman 2013)
Emotional Behavior
Child I’m observing: Recommendations:

Ernesto fits both the Accept his feelings

description for typical and
Snowman for what is
expected in this age group. Respect others but also
He does not like being told expect respect from
what to do especially if it others
involves his friends. He is a
little awkward because he is Should have some freedom
not yet a little kid but not a to make his own decisions
teenager and he is treated
differently by everyone. It
is obvious he is self conscious Find support from parents
from how cocky he acts. or peers

(Washington 1993)
 Cognitive/Intellectual
Behavior
Typical Behaviors: Behaviors According to Piaget &
Vygotsky:
Loves debating and class
discussions This age group uses “formal operational
thinking” because now they can think
about the general form of problem”
Able to think logically
Understands complex language forms
such as sarcasm and satire
Starts to notice patterns
and formulas when
Able to form hypotheses, deal with
memorizing abstractions, and engage in mental
manipulations
Enjoys being apart of
activities and clubs Cognitive development is now used to
group things logically.

(Washington 1993) (Snowman 2013)

Cognitive/Intellectual
Behavior Recommendations:
Child I’m observing:
Don’t let others put down
One of the biggest aspects of his ideas
Ernesto’s life is church. It gives
him a sense of relevancy in the
world. He also uses cognitive Continue participating in
behaviors when he is studying church and church
for tests and exams. In 8th grade activities
there is more tests based on
memorization because he is
being prepared for high school. Start reading to expand
He uses certain patterns and knowledge and
study techniques. Ernesto can vocabulary
easily spot sarcasm and other
forms of complex language.

(Washington 1993)
 Psychosocial/Social
Behavior
Typical Behaviors: Behaviors According to
Erikson
Thinks parents are too
strict Role Confusion is common
around this age
Typically has a group of
friends Role confusion is being
“uncertainly as to what
Irritated with younger behaviors will elicit a
siblings favorable reaction from
others”
Doesn’t confide in parents

(Washington 1993) (Snowman 2013)

Psychosocial/Social
Behavior
Child I’m observing: Recommendations:

Ernesto is easily annoyed by Remember his parents are

his siblings, thinks his
parents are more strict
than other people’s parents,
and at lunch hangs out with
a group of five boys. Out of
all of the psychosocial/
social behaviors for a 13
year old boy he falls under
most of them. When
Ernesto has a problem, he
goes to his friends for
advice.
still important just not in the
same way they used to be
Make sure his boundaries are
being respected
Get involved in social
activities
Let younger siblings cope
with him getting irritated

(Washington 1993)
 Moral/Character
Typical Characteristics: Development according to
Kohlberg:
Can determine bet ween
right and wrong The typical development
according to Kohlberg is 13 year
old’s should understand stages 5
Believes everyone should be of 6 of his moral reasoning, called
treated equally the post conventional morality.
Stage 5 discusses “Rules should
involve mutual agreement; the
Less likely to lie at this age rights of the individual should be
protected.” While stage 6 talks
about how, “ Moral decisions
Quest to become should be based on consistent
independent applications of self chosen ethical
principles.” (page 42)
(Washington 1993)
(Snowman 2013)
(Medline 2017)
 Moral/Character
Child I’m obser ving: Recommendations:

Aware when making moral Have respect for people as

based decisions an “emerging adult”

Considerate when talking Make decisions using

to people ethics

Knows when something he Understand consequences

says or does is wrong of all actions

Showed no signs of When communicating with

dishonesty others be clear and open

(Washington 1993) (Child Development Institute 2015)

 References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Child development. Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/facts.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external

site.

Child Development Institute (2015). The ages and stages of child development. Retrieved from

https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/ages-stages/#.WR3Id_QrLrc

Medline (2017). Adolescent Development. Retrieved

from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002003.htm

Snowman, J. & McCown, R. (2013). ED PSYCH. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

University of Washington. (1993). Child development: Using the child development guide.

Retrieved from http://depts.washington.edu/allcwe2/fosterparents/training/chidev/cd06.htm