Age appropriate expectations

Beware of expecting tall or early maturing youth to be older than they really are. Almost all 14 year olds are actually 14 year olds in mind, attitudes, thinking ability. Size has nothing to do with it. But at 14 you have some very small youth and some very big youth. They are almost all 14.

• The smaller, physically younger youth may be underestimated and may actually be intellectually more mature. As a result they may not be given the challenge and leadership opportunities they need.
  
• The larger, physically mature youth may get too much attention and asked unreasonable things, which is very stressful for them. The large kid needs to be allowed to be as immature as his/her peers.