Early adolescents may differ in their maturity level in many areas. Be sensitive to your child's individual needs. Key points:

• teach your child respect for his or her bodies;
• explain how your child's body changes when he or she grows up;
• discuss with your child how he or she feels about growing up;
• reaffirm your child the value of personal modesty. CCC 2521-24

Early adolescence presents youth with many new experiences, both physical and emotional. Assist them in making sense of these new experiences (e.g., menstruation and wet dreams) from a Catholic perspective. Key points:

• reassure your child that sexual attraction is natural and normal; CCC 2331-36
• instruct your child on proper hygiene and health care for their developing bodies;
• assist your child in developing good nutritional habits and regular exercise routines; CCC 2288-91
• inform your child of the health hazard that smoking presents;
• educate your child on the harmful effects of alcohol and drug abuse on physical and mental health.

Physical growth is such a dominant concern at this stage. Teach the purpose, respect and care of the body. Key points:

• discuss with your child the physical changes in words they can understand.
• instill the virtue of chastity (sexual integrity). CCC 2337-50
• encourage respect for self and others. CCC 1701-05

Early adolescents are becoming more aware of their own sexuality. Key points:

• reassure your child that they have the capacity both to love and be loved; CCC 2331
• help your child to recognize how families model love and relationships;
• instruct your child in the appropriate ways of expressing love physically and emotionally.

Early adolescents need to understand God's gift of sexuality. Key points:

• help your child understand that marriage is a sacrament through which God provides the grace for living out this commitment
• stress that activity that is sexually stimulating belongs only in marriage;
• teach that sexual intercourse - which belongs only within Christian marriage - has a two-fold purpose: uniting spouses in love and open to the creation of new life; CCC 2363, 2368-70, 2380-81
• share that God's plan for creation of new life is within Christian marriage. CCC 1652-54, 2380-81

Early adolescents look for guidance and adult models. Key points:

• assist your child to become familiar with Jesus;
• use the lives of the saints as models for imitation;
• identify adult role models in extended family, school, church and local community.

God's gift of sexuality and sex can be abused. Key points:

• teach how pornographic material, abusive language, and the some portrayals of sex and sexuality in movies, television, music, videos, and other forms of entertainment can violate the dignity of the human person; CCC 2354-56
• inform your child about the Church's teaching regarding masturbation; CCC 2352
• instruct your child on the Church's teachings regarding sexual activity outside of marriage; CCC 2353
• Share with your child the Church's teaching regarding homosexuality. CCC 2357-59

Early adolescents begin to explore, experiment with and experience their sexuality. Key points:

• teach moral decision making; CCC 1749-61
• help your child form a good conscience using Scripture, Church teachings, and informed advisors; CCC 1776-1802
• teach your child to take responsibility for their actions; CCC 1781
• receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist regularly with your child.

Note: CCC numbers refer to related articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.