Case Study of a Child

Age 15
EDU 220: Principles of Education Psychology
Professor Their Wyckoff, MS, LPT
Jennifer Hemenway
February 27, 2022
Typical PHYSICAL Behaviors
at Age 15
 Growth peak around 11.5 years old and slows at 16. (Medline, 2021)
 Possible weight gain. (Morin, 2021)
 Breast develop fully between ages 12-18. (Medline, 2021)
 Acne can start appearing. (University of Washington, 1993)
 Become more concerned with their appearance. (University of Washington,
1993)
 Starts comparing themselves to their peers. (Child Development Institute,
2019)
 More likely to act on sexual desires. (University of Washington, 1993)
Physical Development Observation of
a Child Age 15

 Her height and weight gain have seemed to slow down.

 I noticed that she seems to be a little self-conscience of her
appearance.
 Does not seem to be showing any signs of having acne.
 She doesn’t seem interested in acting on anything sexual yet.
She is just starting to become interested in the opposite sex.
Physical Development
Recommendations

 Parents should allow children to have their own private space.

(Medline, 2021)
 Parents and family should not tease about any physical
changes. (Medline, 2021)
 Parents should know that it is normal for this age to be
interested in body changes and sexual topics. (Medline, 2021)
Typical EMOTIONAL Behaviors
at Age 15

 Tends to sulk. (University of Washington, 1993)

 Will direct verbal behavior at authority figures. (University of
Washington, 1993)
 Moodiness and wide mood swings. (Child Development Institute,
2019)
 Will worry about grades and popularity. (University of Washington,
1993)
Typical Emotional Development at 15
According to Slavin

 Emotional conflict is related to changes in the body, expected

roles, and peer relationships. (Slavin, 2021, p.61)
 They will start to develop their own identity. (Slavin, 2021, p.65)
 Many students experience trauma at home, which can lead to
behavior problems. (Slavin, 2021, p.62)
Emotional Observation of Child Age
15

 Seems to be respectful of her teachers but does admit to butting

heads with her parents frequently.
 She still seems to be worried about what her friends and
classmates think of her.
 She doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of having any type of
behavioral problems.
Emotional Development
Recommendations

 Parents should not dismiss youth’s concerns. (University of

Washington, 1993)
 It’s important for parents to take interest in their teen’s
activities. (Morin,2021)
 Parents should try and connect with their teens as much as they
possibly can. (Morin, 2021)
Typical COGNITIVE/INTELLECTUAL
Behaviors at Age 15

 They thrive on arguments. (University of Washington, 1993)

 They begin thinking about and planning the future at this age.
(Morin, 2021)
 They have more sophisticated conversation skills and begin
sounding more like an adult. (Morin, 2021)
 They start being able to explain their reasons for their choices.
(Morin, 2021)
Typical Cognitive Development
According to…
Piaget
Operational Stage: Begins thinking abstractly and can start to see beyond the
here and now. (Slavin, 2021, p.29)
Vygotsky
Believed that cognitive development is linked to the input of others. (Slavin,
2021, p.33)
Bronfrenner
Believed that family, school, community, and culture impact a child’s
development. (Slavin, 2021, p.43)
Cognitive/Intellectual Observation of
a Child Age 15

 She seems to communicate very well with her peers and

teachers.
 She doesn’t seem to be very argumentative in the school setting.
 Although she doesn’t know what she wants to do or study, she
does have plans to go to college and get a degree.
Cognitive/ Intellectual Development
Recommendations

 Parents should try their best to not allow

conversations/discussions to turn into an argument with their
teens. (University of Washington, 1993)
 Parents should encourage their teen’s exploration of thought.
(University of Washington, 1993)
Typical PSYCHSOCIAL/SOCIAL
Behaviors at 15

 Can start to withdraw from their parents. (University of

Washington, 1993)
 Can start to become annoyed with younger siblings. (University
of Washington,1993)
 They start having a strong interest in romantic relationships.
(Morin, 2021)
 Friends are very important at this age. (Morin, 2021)
Typical Psychosocial/Social
Development According to Erikson

Stage V: Identity versus Role Confusion

 They are starting to figure out who they are. (Slavin, 2021, p.48)
 This is a time of change. They experiment with various sexual,
occupational, and educational roles. (Slavin, 2021, p.48)
Psychosocial/Social Observations of a
Child Age 15

 She seems to have a large group of friends.

 She is beginning to show interest in the opposite sex.
 Although she does butt heads with her parents as I mentioned
earlier, she, for the most part, does have a good relationship
with them and her siblings. She turns to them for more
important issues and asked her friends for guidance on less
important issues like clothing and makeup.
Psychosocial/Social Development
Recommendations

 It is important for parents to know who their teen is hanging

around with. (Morin, 2021)
 Parents should set clear but flexible limits. Flexibility will help
them from having their teens push away from them. (University
of Washington, 1993)
Typical MORAL/CHARACTER
Behaviors at Age 15

 They understand right from wrong. (University of Washington,

1993)
 They can weigh the alternatives and come to decisions on their
own. (University of Washington, 1993)
 They start to be concerned about the treatment of others.
(University of Washington, 1993)
 They will become reasonably thoughtful at this age. (University
of Washington, 1993)
Typical Moral/Character
Development According to Kohlberg

 They start considering the feelings of others when making their

decisions. (Slavin, 2021, p.52)
 Rules and society will start to replace peer groups when deciding
moral judgments. (Slavin, 2021, p.52)
Moral/Character Observations of a
Child Age 15

 She seems to have a good understanding of what is right and

what is wrong.
 She is thoughtful. She noticed a peer didn’t have anything to
write with and gave them a pencil.
 After speaking with her, I noticed that she has the ability to
weigh all her options before making decisions.
Moral/Character Development
Recommendations

 Parents should help and support their teens in their decision-

making. (University of Washington, 1993)
 Parents should demonstrate respect for youth. (University of
Washington, 1993)
References
Child Development Institute (2019). The ages and stages of child development. 
https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/ages-stages/#.WR3Id_QrLrc

Medline (2021). Adolescent Development.  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002003.htm

Morin, Amy. (2021). Child Development: Milestones and Parenting Tips. 

https://www.verywellfamily.com/child-development-overview-4172261

Slavin, R.E. (2021). Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice, (13th ed.) Pearson.

University of Washington. (1993). Child development: Using the child development guide.

http://depts.washington.edu/allcwe2/fosterparents/training/chidev/cd06.htm