Changes in Puberty for Boys – Growing Pains
Here is a discussion starter for you to have with your young adolescent son about some of the changes happening in his body during puberty. This discussion will help to answer questions he might have about when he is going to grow taller and get bigger muscles.
If your son is 10-11 years old, he is likely experiencing the early changes of puberty that include growing taller. In this anatomy figure, you can see growth plates and where they would be located in his bones. A hormone called growth hormone tells the growth plates to make more bone and the bones grow longer. This is happening at a rapid pace during the early years of puberty.
You have probably also noticed that your son’s legs and arms are growing faster than the trunk of his body. He looks different and he feels clumsy as he navigates with the longer legs.
As his testicles begin producing larger amounts of testosterone, this hormone stimulates the muscles attached to his bones. It is obvious as his shoulders and hips expand with new muscle mass that testosterone is working its magic.
The combination of growing bones and growing muscles can result in “growth pains” especially in the legs. This is a common complaint in boys this age.
Share this information with your son and he will be pleased to know that what is happening to him is normal. Let him know that at some point, usually between 12 years and 15 years of age, he will have a big growth spurt that will surprise both of you!
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