Growth and development of adolescence lesson2
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Adolescence refers to the period between childhood and adulthood from ages 10 to 20. During this time, adolescents experience significant physical, mental, and social changes. Physically, their bodies mature sexually through puberty and growth spurts. Mentally, they develop an identity, abstract thinking skills, and future goals. Socially, peer relationships gain importance and they seek independence from family. Some issues that can arise include mood disorders, risky behaviors, and adjustment to physical changes.
Growth and development of adolescence lesson2
- 1. Growth and Development of Adolescence Prepared by: Ms. Rosalia C. Rosario
- 2. Who are adolescents? Adolescents are children who are 10 to 20 years of age. They are in a period between childhood and adulthood, called adolescence . This time period is divided into three stages , including early (10 to 13 years of age), middle (14 to 17 years of age), and late (18 to 20 years of age). During this time, your child will go through many changes in his physical, psychological (mental and emotional), and social growth.
- 3. What physical changes occur during adolescence? Your child’s body changes quickly during puberty. Puberty is a period in adolescence where the body develops and matures sexually. This period usually starts at 7 to 13 years of age in girls, and 9 to 14 years of age in boys. Hormones (special chemicals in the body), family history, and nutrition all add to your child’s growth.
- 4. Body make-up: Boys: Bones and muscles grow, and strength increases. Fat is lost in some parts of the body, such as the arms and legs. Broad shoulders may develop. Body odor becomes adult-like and acne (pimples) may appear. Their voice deepens and hair begins to grow on the face, pubic area, underarms, and other parts of the body. Girls: Girls store more fats than boys. Their body develops with wider hips and smaller waistlines. Their body odor and voice change. Pubic and underarm hair starts to appear and grow. They may also get acne.
- 5. Sexual growth: Boys: Hair over the pubic area increases in amount, and becomes darker, thicker, and curlier. At 11 to 12 years of age, the penis and testes begin to enlarge while the scrotum begins to thin out and redden. At about 13 years of age, boys may start making sperm and may ejaculate or have wet dreams. Girls: Breasts begin to develop. This usually occurs at 8 to 13 years of age. Around two years later, they usually start menstruating (having a monthly period). Menstrual cycles may be irregular for the first few years. This means that girls may miss monthly periods once in a while. Irregular periods may last for as long as seven years after they begin.
- 6. What mental changes occur during adolescence? As a child matures, he learns to think more deeply. Change in self-image: Young adolescents often focus on their own self-image. Through different experiences, your child may find new beliefs and question old ones. He begins to form personality traits that define who he is. He defines his own ideals, values, and principles. By late adolescence, he is happier with who he is, and his place in society.
- 7. Intellectual development and skills: Adolescents learn to think in new ways to understand complex ideas. They learn through selective and divided attention, and better memory. Problem solving skills also improve. They are able to think in a logical way, use sound judgment, and develop abstract thinking. Abstract thinking is the ability to understand and make sense out of symbols or images.
- 8. Setting goals and ambitions: As an adolescent learns who he is, he begins to plan for the future. Based on his beliefs and values, he decides who he wants to be and what he wants to do in life. He sets realistic goals and has learned the difference between goals, fantasy, and reality. By late adolescence, he begins to work hard to reach his goals.
- 9. What social changes occur during adolescence? Family: An adolescent may begin to spend less time with parents and more with friends. He often longs for freedom and starts to detach himself from his family. He begins to depend on himself more and learn responsibility.
- 10. Friends: During early adolescence, having close relationships and being accepted into a peer group is very important. A child’s actions can be greatly changed by peers or peer pressure. More time spent with friends gives a child more chances to try new things. He may try smoking, drinking alcohol, or sexual activity. By middle adolescence, boys and girls start to become friends, which often leads to dating.
- 11. Community: As a child grows older, his relationships with others also grow. By late adolescence, he learns to think about the needs of others instead of thinking only of himself.
- 12. What problems may occur during adolescence? Early or delayed puberty: The age a child enters puberty depends on many things. Some children develop sexually sooner or later than others. Girls go through puberty earlier than boys. Precocious (early) puberty is when a girl younger than 8 years of age starts to develop sexually. In boys, early puberty may start younger than nine years of age. Delayed puberty is when a girl over 13 years of age or a boy over 14 or 15 years of age has not shown signs of puberty. Early or delayed puberty may be caused by certain medical conditions.
- 13. Low self-esteem: A child may not feel good about himself, especially during early adolescence. Most children focus on their bodies as changes occur, and this may cause poor body image. A child may worry about how he is growing, and things like acne may be a concern. It is normal for a child to not be happy with how he looks, and to compare himself with his peers.
- 14. Mood problems or depression: Mood problems such as depression or anxiety may affect adolescents. These often occur because of changes during puberty. Deep depression is serious and may lead to thoughts or attempts of suicide.
- 15. Need for independence: Adolescents seek freedom. They tend to move away from their parents emotionally, and feel comfortable with their peers. This may lead to conflict and problems between you and your child. He may begin to reject your rules and values, and struggle to learn who he is. These problems tend to resolve by late adolescence. As a child grows, he becomes more stable emotionally, learns to rely on himself, and shows more concern for others.
- 16. Poor nutrition or low physical activity: Unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity can lead to children being underweight, overweight, or at risk of growing overweight. These conditions may lead to medical problems, such as diabetes (high blood sugar), hypertension (high blood pressure), and hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol).
- 17. Risky behaviors: A child starts making his own choices, peer pressure may cause poor judgment. He may choose to take unsafe risks. Risky behaviors include trying drugs, alcohol, cigars or tobacco. They also include getting into physical fights or having risky sex. They may decide not to wear seatbelts or helmets, drive while drunk, or carry a weapon. A child is more likely to do these things if he has problems with self-control, family, or the community. Younger adolescents that cannot control their temper often act without thinking about the results of their actions. Children often practice the same bad habits of their parents, such as using drugs or drinking too much alcohol. The school, work, peers, and media (radio and TV) may also direct a child's actions.
- 18. References: www.google.com Web Address: http://www.aap.org Copyright © 2010. Thomson Reuters.