Teen Health Course 3Chapter 17:
Growth and DevelopmentParent Letters - EnglishParent Letter and Activities
For use with Chapter 17
Dear Parent or Guardian, Your child’s health class is currently studying
human growth and development. We will trace the growth of the human body from
fertilization through pregnancy to birth. We will also discuss the role of
heredity in passing on traits from parents to children and the effects of an
individual’s environment on
his or her development. The course will then focus on growth and development
during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. We will conclude with a study of
adulthood and aging. Some questions your teen will consider as we study these
topics include: How
does a fetus develop? How are characteristics inherited? What are the physical,
mental/emotional, and social changes that occur during adolescence? How can
aging be a positive experience? To support and extend our classroom work,
please set aside some time during the next few weeks to complete one or more
of the following activities with your teen: - Spend an evening reviewing family
pictures with your teen. Use the pictures as a springboard to talk about family
traits and about how people change as they go through the various stages of
life.
- Watch a movie or television program about teens with your child. Afterward,
discuss the issues that the characters confront. Ask your teen’s opinion
on how well the adolescent characters deal with their new independence, maturity,
and conflicts.
- Work together to make a list showing the positive aspects of
being an adolescent and another one about being an adult. Emphasize the joys
that are unique to the different stages of life.
Of course, feel free to engage
in other activities you think will help your teen learn about growth and development
and the stages of human life. A broader perspective on the stages of life can
help make your child’s adolescence
more enjoyable. In this, your input and example are vital. Sincerely, Health Teacher |