Adolescence Characteristics

Adolescence Characteristics

1. Adolescence; Physical, Cognitive and Socio-Emotional Characteristics Joseph H. Magkalas

2. Adolescence the transition period from childhood to adulthood extending from puberty to independence TWEENS: 10-13 years TEENS: 13-18 years EMERGING ADULTHOOD: 18-25 yrs

3. Physical Characteristics

4. Experience rapid changes in physical appearance, with growth spurt happening earlier for girls than boys. Be willing to talk about physical changes because new teens are often uncomfortable with and embarrassed by their changing bodies. Have intense sexual feelings and a keen interest in their own bodies. Provide honest information to the sexual questions they have. Prepare opportunities to help youth discuss body development as a natural, normal process. Listen to their fears without judging or trivializing. Interested in sports and active games. Encourage active, fun learning experiences. Characteristics Implications for Volunteers

5. Characteristics Implications for Volunteers Most have overcome the awkwardness of puberty, but some boys are still growing at a fast pace. Many are concerned with body image. Avoid comments that criticize or compare stature, size, or shape.

6. Puberty: The Start of Sexual Maturation PUBERTY is the period when sexual organs mature, beginning earlier for girls than for boys. Increased hormone levels stimulate the development & functioning of the reproductive system

7. Puberty: The Start of Sexual Maturation PUBERTY is the period when sexual organs mature, beginning earlier for girls than for boys. Increased hormone levels stimulate the development & functioning of the reproductive system Males: androgens Females: progestins & estrogens

8. Primary Sex Characteristics Directly related to reproductive organs & external genitalia Secondary Sex Characteristics Not directly related to reproductive organs & external genitalia Penis & scrotum growth Facial hair & deeper voice Enlarged breasts & hips Ovary, uterus, vagina, clitoris & labia growth Hair & sweat gland changes

9. Cognitive Characteristics

10. Characteristics Implications for Volunteers Tend to reject solutions from adults in favor of their own. Involve young teens in setting rules and planning activities for your group or program. Beginning to think more abstractly and hypothetically. Can think about their own thinking and are becoming skilled in the use of logic and cause-and-effect. Ask questions that encourage predicting and problem solving. Help youth to find solutions on their own by providing supervision without interference. Can take responsibility for planning and evaluation of their own work. Allow young teens to plan activities and expect follow through. Help them to evaluate the outcome.

11. Characteristics Implications for Volunteers Reach high levels of abstract thinking and problem solving. Put youth into real life problem-solving situations. Allow them to fully discover ideas, make decisions, and evaluate outcomes. Developing community consciousness and concern for the well-being of others. Encourage civic projects that are a service to others. Increasing self-knowledge; personal philosophy begins to emerge. Allow time and plan activities for youth to explore and express their own philosophies. Need life planning guidance as they are beginning to think about leaving home for college, employment, etc. College visits, field trips to businesses, and conversations with college students or working adults can be helpful activities.

12. Research Notes: Cognitive Development McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass Groups of children ages 10-18 and adults are shown a picture and asked to identify the emotion. 100% adults answer correctly (“fear”). Almost all teens are wrong (say “aggression”). Most teens who do answer correctly are female. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is done to track which parts of the brain were active as the decision was being made. Teens used the amygdala, while adults used the frontal cortex of their brains in making the decision.

13. Research Notes: Cognitive Development Frontal Cortex Analysis - Decision-making - Judgment - Planning Amygdala Gut reactions - Instincts - More primitive part of the brain. REF: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/work/onereason.html

14. Social Characteristics

15. Characteristics Implications for Volunteers Concerned about social graces, grooming, and being liked by peers. Encourage learning experiences related to self-discovery, self-understanding, and getting along with others. Be patient with grooming behaviors that may seem excessive. Moving away from dependency on parents to dependency on opinions of peers. Parents may need help in understanding that this shift is a sign of growing maturity, not rejection of family. Becoming interested in activities that involve boys and girls. Provide opportunities for boys and girls to mix without feeling uncomfortable — seems to work best if youth plan activities themselves

16. Characteristics Implications for Volunteers Strong desire for status in their peer group. Establish a climate that is conducive to peer support. Interested in coeducational activities. Dating increases. Allow teens to plan coeducational and group oriented projects or activities. Often want adult leadership roles. Provide opportunities for teens to plan their own programs. Want to belong to a group, but also want to be recognized as unique individuals. Place emphasis on personal development whenever possible.

17. Research Notes: Social Development Different family members have different views of parent-adolescent conflict. Adolescence has a minimal impact on the teen, but a potentially negative impact on the parent. After a conflict, the teen moves on. The parent is more likely to hold on to negative feelings. Who walks away upset and stays upset? THE PARENT!!! Generally few storms, but some stress. “Arguing with a teenager is like being bitten to death by ducks!” -- Parent quote.

18. Emotional Characteristics

19. Characteristics Implications for Volunteers Can be painfully self-conscious and critical. Vulnerable to bouts of low self-esteem. Plan many varied opportunities to achieve and have their competence recognized by others. Concentrate on developing individual skills. Changes in hormones and thinking contribute to mood swings. Remember that early adolescents are known for their drama and feelings that seem extreme to adults. Accept their feelings and be careful not to embarrass or criticize. Desire independence, yet need their parents' help. Encourage youth to work with adults and older teens.

20. Characteristics Implications for Volunteers Feelings of inferiority and inadequacy are common. Encourage youth by helping them to see their positive self-worth. Gaining independence and developing firm individual identity. Give teens responsibility and expect them to follow through. Provide opportunities that help teens explore their identity, values, and beliefs.

21. Research Notes: Emotional Development Most adolescents make the transition without serious difficulty. 40% of parents report an increase in stress during early adolescent transition. Stressors are cumulative in impact. “Crossing Paths”– When adolescence and midlife crisis happen at the same time in a family. Bickering is usually about autonomy-related concerns. Increased social support ~ decreases in the harmful impact of stressors.

22. “But Why ?” Using your knowledge of developmental stages to answer the questions of caring adults (and refute the public perceptions of teens!).

23. “But Why ?” “Sometimes my teen is a real know-it-all .” Teens are developing new abilities to analyze, deduce, reason, and think abstractly. It’s normal for them to reject adult solutions in favor of their own. Involve them in making plans, when possible. Allow them to make decisions and help them to evaluate the outcomes.

24. “But Why ?” “My teenager is an emotional basket case! She spends a lot of time being moody and paranoid.” Teens can be painfully self-conscious and critical. Self-esteem can be an issue and it’s common to feel inadequate or inferior. Be encouraging and patient. Help them see their worth!

25. “But Why ?” “My teen argues with me all the time, and I think it’s disrespectful. What can I do?” Along with intellectual abilities, social skills are developing also. Allow them to find their own solutions, which may not be the same as yours. Then help them find ways to express themselves in ways that will not be perceived as disrespectful or abrasive.

26. “But Why ?” “My teen is so hung up on clothes, jewelry and how they look. What gives??” Teens are emotionally vulnerable and have a real need for acceptance from their peers, and belonging to a group. Be patient, encourage experiences related to self-discovery and self-understanding. Set appropriate boundaries for clothing, etc.

27. “But Why ?” “My kid makes a lot of really dumb decisions, if you ask me. Sometimes it seems like we can hear the same thing but they interpret it in a totally wrong way.” Listen to them and ask questions that encourage predicting and problem-solving. Help them find their own solutions, and be patient. Teen brains are “under construction,” and still building the connections that allow them to analyze and reason like adults. Keep the communication lines open!

28. “But Why ?” “My kid questions everything I say!” Socially, teens move and become much more dependent on the opinions of their friends than their family. They are also developing intellectual abilities they’ve never had before, and are still learning how to use. Use two-way communication, respect their ideas and demand respect for your own. Ask questions that encourage predicting and problem-solving.

29. “But Why ?” “Okay, my kid is suddenly a walking hormone …what’s going on here?” The surge of hormones is giving them intense feelings they’ve never dealt with before. Emotional vulnerability and the need for (peer) acceptance also affect the high interest in dating and forming close relationships. Give honest answers to their sexual questions. Hear their fears, and don’t judge or downplay them. Communicate!

30. “But Why ?” “We used to be best friends, but now my daughter just wants to spend all of her time with her friends.” This is normal, as teenagers are more dependent on friends as their primary social unit. Keep talking and listening to your child. Understand that this is a sign of growing maturity, not of family rejection. Adolescence can be harder on the parents than the teens!

31. “But Why ?” “My freaky teenager is outgrowing his clothes every month!! Am I feeding him the wrong thing?” Teens bodies change and grow rapidly, and the growth spurt starts even sooner for girls. This can be embarrassing to a teenager, so be sensitive about it. Also be willing to talk with them about the many physical changes taking place.

32. “But Why ?” “My 14-year old is always so defensive! No matter what I say, they think I’m accusing them of something.” Dealing with all these new feelings and changes to their bodies is difficult for many teens. When they just want to “fit in” this can cause major stress and result in mood swings. Also remember that teens do not always interpret what they hear in the same way an adult does. Be sensitive, patient, and help them understand what you truly mean.

33. PHYSICAL SOCIAL EMOTIONAL COGNITIVE Physical Development Cognitive Development Socio-Emotional Development For video discussions click the links:

34. The End