Monitoring a child’s development can be quite difficult, as each child experiences puberty and growth spurts at their own unique rate.
To effectively observe this process, it’s best to consider both chronological and biological perspectives. Check out the video to learn more.
Defining chronological age
Chronological age is assessed at a specific moment in relation to the date of birth. The first year of life is known as infancy and concludes with the onset of adolescence. Childhood is typically divided into three stages: early childhood, which includes the preschool years from ages 1 to 5; mid-childhood, spanning ages 5 to 8; and late childhood, from age 8 until the beginning of adolescence, marked by the onset of sexual maturation (puberty). Due to individual differences in maturity timing and pace, adolescence can vary widely, ranging from ages 8 to 19 for girls and from 10 to 22 for boys.
Defining biological age
While chronological age is straightforward and easily measured, biological age presents greater challenges; it is less predictable and harder to evaluate. There is considerable variation among individuals regarding the timing and pace of the adolescent growth spurt.
There are various methods for evaluating maturity status, and the types of maturity measures typically correspond to the biological system being examined. Common indicators of biological maturation include skeletal, sexual, and somatic measures, which are all fairly well interconnected.
A biological system is deemed fully mature when it reaches the adult stage, characterized by a completely developed skeletal system, a fully functioning reproductive system, or the achievement of adult height.
To learn more about growth maturation and development, and how it effects the fitness of children check out our online course ‘Healthy Active Kids‘.
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