Adolescence

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Adolescence
• Adolescence, transitional phase of growth
and development between childhood and adulthood.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an adolescent as
any person between ages 10 and 19.
• This age range falls within WHO’s definition of young people,
which refers to individuals between ages 10 and 24.
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• During adolescence, issues of emotional (if not physical) separation from
parents arise. While this sense of separation is a necessary step in the
establishment of personal values, the transition to self-sufficiency forces an
array of adjustments upon many adolescents.
• Adolescence is a time of rapid cognitive development. Biological changes in brain
structure and connectivity in the brain interact with increased experience, knowledge,
and changing social demands to produce rapid cognitive growth.
• These changes generally begin at puberty or shortly thereafter, and some skills
continue to develop as an adolescent ages. Development of executive functions, or
cognitive skills that enable the control and coordination of thoughts and behavior, are
generally associated with the prefrontal cortex area of the brain. The thoughts, ideas,
and concepts developed at this period of life greatly influence one’s future life and
play a major role in character and personality formation.
Physical and psychological transition
• Stereotypes that portray adolescents as rebellious, distracted,
thoughtless, and daring are not without precedent. Young
persons experience numerous physical and social changes, often
making it difficult for them to know how to behave.
• During puberty young bodies grow stronger and are infused
with hormones that stimulate desires appropriate to ensuring
the perpetuation of the species. Ultimately acting on those
desires impels individuals to pursue the tasks of earning a living
and having a family.
Early Adolescence (Ages 10 to 13)
• During this stage, children often start to grow more quickly. They also
begin notice other body changes, including hair growth under the arms and
near the genitals, breast development in females and enlargement of the
testicles in males. They usually start a year or two earlier in girls than boys,
and it can be normal for some changes to start as early as age 8 for females
and age 9 for males. Many girls may start their period at around age 12, on
average 2-3 years after the onset of breast development.
• These body changes can inspire curiosity and anxiety in
some―especially if they do not know what to expect or what is normal.
Some children may also question their gender identity at this time, and the
onset of puberty can be a difficult time for transgender children.
Middle Adolescence (Ages 14 to 17)
• Physical changes from puberty continue during middle adolescence. Most males will
have started their growth spurt, and puberty-related changes continue. They may have
some voice cracking, for example, as their voices lower. Some develop acne. Physical
changes may be nearly complete for females, and most girls now have regular periods.
• At this age, many teens become interested in romantic and sexual relationships.
They may question and explore their sexual identity―which may be stressful if they do
not have support from peers, family, or community. Another typical way of exploring sex
and sexuality for teens of all genders is self-stimulation, also called masturbation.
• Many middle adolescents have more arguments with their parents as they struggle
for more independence. They may spend less time with family and more time with
friends. They are very concerned about their appearance, and peer pressure may peak at
this age.
Late Adolescents (18-21… and beyond!)
• Late adolescents generally have completed physical development and grown to
their full adult height. They usually have more impulse control by now
and may be better able to gauge risks and rewards accurately. In comparison to
middle adolescents, youth in late adolescence might find themselves thinking.
• Teens entering early adulthood have a stronger sense of their own individuality
now and can identify their own values. They may become more focused on the
future and base decisions on their hopes and ideals. Friendships and romantic
relationships become more stable. They become more emotionally and
physically separated from their family. However, many reestablish an "adult"
relationship with their parents, considering them more an equal from whom to
ask advice and discuss mature topics with, rather than an authority figure.
Hazards of Puberty
•. Physical Hazards - The major physical hazards of puberty are due to slight or major malfunctioning of the
endocrine glands that control the puberty growth spurt and the sexual changes that take place at this time.
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•2. Psychological Hazards
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•3. Unfavorable self concepts - is revealed in their behavior. They either become withdrawn from others or
become aggressive and defensive.
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•4. Under achievement - with rapid physical growth comes a sapping of energy. This leads to a disinclination
to work and attitudes of boredom toward any activities.
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•. Lack of preparation for puberty changes - parents and teachers play an important role in this, especially
giving the necessary information about puberty or else it would turn out to be a traumatic experience for them.
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•6. Acceptance of socially approved sex roles - for many pubescent girls, the psychological hazard of
acceptance of the traditional female sex role is intensified by the periodic discomforts they suffer at the time of
their menstrual periods while boy are not subject to this.
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• Because the three 'A's of happiness - acceptance, affection
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•and achievement - are often violated during these years, puberty finds to be one of the most unhappy periods
of the life span. This is serious because unhappiness can and often does become habitual.
Problem Solving Important in Child
Development
• The earlier children begin solving problems, the more ready they are to
deal with bigger challenges as they mature.
• By introducing problem solving skills in the classroom, children learn to
think in terms of manageable steps as they:
• 1. Identify Problems
• 2. Brainstorm Possible Solutions
• 3. Test Appropriate Solutions
• 4. Analyze Results
• By viewing problems as opportunities to grow, children broaden their
understanding while building confidence.
SUMMARY
• Puberty is a time of great change, including changes that might be at times
awkward, confusing, or overwhelming. Some of these changes come from the
actions of hormones on cells throughout your body, including your brain.
Hormones can influence your brain in the long term by directly changing how it is
organized, or by changing how it responds to certain situations. These changes
might be important for opening up new opportunities for learning that prepare
teenagers for adulthood, although the same brain changes might also close
windows for other types of learning that happen earlier in childhood. Schools
might be able to take advantage of these brain changes in their students, for
example by creating opportunities for positive forms of exploration and risk
taking. Learning is more than maths and reading—making decisions that help us
to better understand ourselves and others is another important kind of learning
that the brain might be especially sensitive to during puberty.
Pictorial view
• https://www.google.com/search?
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