Talking to Your Child About Central Precocious Puberty: A Helpful Guide
Going through puberty too early can be a confusing and unsettling time for a child and his or her family. There are changes taking place in your child’s body that he or she may not fully understand.
As a parent or caregiver, you play a key role in helping your child understand and cope with central precocious puberty (CPP). This guide includes some helpful tips to keep in mind as you discuss CPP with your child.
Communication. Reinforce that your child’s body is normal.
At such a young age, your child might not be fully aware of the changes happening in his or her body, and may even seem unaffected by it. However, children may ask questions about why they are going to the doctor, or why they have to get tests or treatment. If your child is tall or perhaps more developed for their age, he or she may also have other children or adults comment or ask questions.
How you talk about CPP can go a long way toward shaping your child’s understanding of it, so it is a good idea to think about how you will discuss CPP with your child. It may be helpful to start with something like “Everyone’s body goes through these changes. Your body just started a little early.”
It may also be helpful to use objects to open lines of communication between you and your child about the changes in his or her body. Comparing the size of objects, such as toys, gives children a chance to play with measurement and helps them learn how to compare and use words such as “taller,” “shorter,” etc. For example, directly compare the heights of two stuffed toys and describe one toy as taller/shorter. This not only helps children understand measurement, but can help guide the conversation between you and your child about which parts of his or her body are growing or changing.
Prepare yourself so you can best help your child.
A CPP diagnosis can raise a lot of questions, such as: What’s happening to my child’s body? Who do I talk to if I need help? Do I tell my friends and family?
Children often mimic their parent’s behavior. Your child is more likely to be anxious if you exhibit signs of stress. Understanding CPP, and how you plan to talk with your child, family members, and even your doctors, can empower you to be a reliable support system for your child.
A simple explanation of CPP that can be used with friends and family is “My child has started puberty sooner than normal.”
By talking to your child’s doctor about CPP and what to expect, you can help ease your own uncertainties and anxieties.
Treat them according to their age.
Although your child’s body is developing early, he or she is still a young child. Sometimes adults or other children may treat your child as if they are older because of their appearance. If you are worried about family members, teachers, or other adults in your child’s life treating him or her as if they are older, it may be helpful to explain the condition to them. Talk to your healthcare provider for suggestions on explaining CPP or share this helpful guide.