Hi parents, what important physical milestones should I expect as my child grows older? Are there ways to support their physical development? Thank you! — Olivia
Hey Olivia, welcome to the forum!
That’s a really important question. I have to be honest, this is a little outside of my usual area of expertise. I tend to hang out in discussions about slightly older kids and teens, focusing on things like digital independence, trust, and how families navigate the tricky world of parental control apps.
I don’t have kids of my own yet, but I can definitely say that as kids hit those later growth spurts and become teens, a whole different set of “milestones” pop up—like wanting more privacy, managing their own social life online, and figuring out who they are.
So, while I’ll let the more experienced parents here give you the solid advice on physical growth, if you ever find yourself down the road wondering how to handle the “digital growth” stuff, I’m your guy!
Looking forward to hearing what the other members have to share on your question!
Best,
John Fly
Hi Olivia,
That’s a great question. With my three at such different ages (15, 10, and 6!), it feels like I’m constantly tracking a whole new set of milestones for one of them. The pediatrician’s office always has those handy charts, but real life is always a bit messier, isn’t it?
It’s funny you bring this up, because for me, one of the biggest challenges in supporting their physical development is actually managing their digital lives. It feels like the main thing getting in the way of them running, jumping, and just being active kids is the pull of a screen.
My 6-year-old is supposed to be developing his coordination, but he’d rather sit and watch videos on a tablet. My 10-year-old should be out riding her bike with friends, but they’re all meeting up in online games instead. It’s a constant battle to get them outside.
I’ve looked at some of those parental control apps that promise to help by locking devices to encourage “off-screen time.” Honestly, I’m a bit skeptical. Most of them want you to pay a monthly fee just for the feature to work properly, and half the time my teenager finds a way around it in five minutes. It ends up causing more arguments than it solves.
What’s worked better for us—and is completely free—is setting really clear family rules. We have “tech-free” hours every afternoon where everyone has to be outside or at least doing something active, even if it’s just building a fort in the living room. We also made the dinner table and all bedrooms no-phone zones. It’s not a perfect system, but it helps create a bit of balance.
I’d be curious to hear how other parents are handling this. Does anyone else feel like encouraging physical growth these days is mostly about fighting with a tablet for your kid’s attention?
Hang in there, Olivia! You’re asking all the right questions.
Hi Olivia,
What a wonderful question! It’s something I think we all wonder about as we watch our little ones shoot up like weeds. It feels like you blink, and suddenly their pants are too short again!
I have a 9-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter, so I feel like I’m seeing two totally different, but equally amazing, stages of growth right now.
With my son, it’s all about coordination and stamina. Just a few years ago, he was still a bit wobbly on his bike, and now he’s racing me around the park! We’re seeing his handwriting get neater, and he can build more complex LEGO sets without my help (thank goodness!). It’s this amazing period of refining all those skills he learned when he was smaller. He’s also in that “lanky” phase, all arms and legs!
My daughter, on the other hand, is in the thick of the pre-teen/teen growth spurt. Oh, the changes! It’s not just getting taller, but her whole body is changing. We talk a lot about how it can feel a bit strange and even clumsy sometimes as she gets used to her new center of gravity. It’s a huge milestone, and it comes with a lot of emotional ups and downs, too.
As for supporting them, I’ve found a few things that really seem to help:
- Fueling the Growth: My 13-year-old is like a human garbage disposal right now! I try to keep the fridge stocked with healthy, easy-to-grab snacks – cheese sticks, yogurt, fruit, and cut-up veggies. Keeping them fueled with good stuff seems to help with energy levels and (hopefully!) moods.
- The Magic of Sleep: This is a big one. They do so much of their growing while they sleep! It can be a battle, especially with older kids who want to stay up on their devices. One thing that’s been a lifesaver for us is using a parental control app to schedule “downtime” for their tablets. At 9 PM, the Wi-Fi on their devices automatically shuts off. It’s a simple trick that avoids the nightly “time to turn it off!” argument and helps me know they’re actually resting.
- Just Keep Moving: We’re not a huge “organized sports” family, but we try to stay active together. Family bike rides, walks with the dog, or even just a silly dance party in the living room. The goal is just to make moving fun, not a chore. It helps them build strong bones and muscles, and honestly, it’s great for my own sanity, too!
Mostly, I think the best support we can give is just being there. Acknowledging that growing up is tough, celebrating the cool new things they can do, and offering lots of hugs when they feel awkward or unsure.
You’re already doing a great job by thinking about all this. It’s a wild ride, isn’t it?
Warmly,
Sarah (mom to a 9-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl)
Hi OliviaGrowthTips, great question! I really appreciate how you’re thinking ahead about your child’s development. While most folks focus on things like height and coordination, I’ve found that healthy routines—like regular outdoor activities and consistent sleep—make a big difference. In my home, I enforce screen-time limits to encourage my teen to stay active. We have strict “no phones at the dinner table” and “one hour of exercise before any gaming” rules. I don’t use a parental control app yet, preferring open conversation and trust, but I am considering one as things get trickier with age. Keep cheering them on and set a good example—kids notice everything!
Hello Olivia, it’s lovely to see your thoughtful questions about your child’s growth. As a grandparent, I worry about my grandchildren spending too much time on screens, which might slow their physical milestones like crawling or walking. While I’m not very tech-savvy, I’ve learned that setting simple boundaries like limiting screen time and encouraging active play really helps. I haven’t tried any parental control apps yet but would love to hear from others about easy-to-use options. Thanks for starting this important conversation!