5 the teen years: growth and development permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.©...

5The Teen Years:

Growth and Development

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

The Teen Years: Growth and Development• Teenage years are the bridge to

independent adulthood• Children highly anticipate becoming

teens• All areas of growth and development

are significantly interrelated• There is a great deal of variation in the

development of teens


Objective

• Compare the rate of growth during adolescence to previous periods of development.

© Mike Flippo/Shutterstock


Physical Growth and Development

• Rate of physical growth and development

from ages 13 to 18 are second only to that during infancy

• Puberty begins when the pituitary gland signals the endocrine system to release hormones


Understanding Adolescent Growth and Development• Growth spurts can cause adolescents to

grow as much as four inches in a year– Significant weight gains increase both

muscle mass and fat tissue.

• Teens may look and feel uncoordinated because of asynchrony

• Hormone shifts trigger sexual development

continued


Understanding Adolescent Growth and Development• Girls:

– Breast development– Menstruation

• Boys:– Voice changes– Larger gains in height and weight– Broader shoulders, muscle mass

continued


Understanding Adolescent Growth and Development

• Growth continues after sexual maturity is reached

• The heart doubles in size and lung capacity increases, resulting in greater strength and endurance © Sebastian

Kaulitzki/Shutterstock


Coping with Physical Changes• Timing is highly individual

– Adults may have unrealistic expectations of early developers, who they perceive as adults

– Late developers feel left behind

• Self-conscious teens imagine everyone is paying attention to them

continued


Coping with Physical Changes

• Egocentrism causes them to focus excessively on appearance

© stefanolunardi/Shutterstock

continued


Coping with Physical Changes• Body image is a major concern• Negative body image can lead to

unhealthy habits• Teens may spend a great deal of time

with– diet and exercise– grooming– hair– clothing


For Reflection

• How might your experiences as an adolescent help you better understand your future teenage pupils?

© Archipoch/Shutterstock


Objective

• Analyze the thinking skills commonly required of teens in school.

© OLJ Studio/Shutterstock


Cognitive Development

• Significant changes occur in brain development during the teen years

© Alena Hovorkova/Shutterstock


Developing Abstract Thinking• Young teens are in the concrete

operational stage• They move into the formal operational

stage• Abstract thinking includes the abilities

to– grasp abstract concepts– think about the future– consider consequences of multiple

potential solutions to problemscontinued


Developing Abstract Thinking• Abstract thinking includes the abilities

to– figure out why things are the way they are– understand complex math problems– think critically about a person’s own

thinking (metacognition)

• Younger teens still use concrete thinking

• Abstract thinking leads to better problem solving


For Discussion

• What are some examples of ways you have used abstract thinking today?

© Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock


Understanding the Adolescent Brain• The teen years are a window of

opportunity to strengthen neural connections

• This happens through activities that repeatedly stimulate the brain

• Inactivity wastes this opportunity• Brain development may play a

significant role in teen mood swings


Meeting School Challenges

• Teens learn best through activities linked to real life

• Classes require a rapid pace, more complex learning, and more independent learning

• Multitasking may have a negative impact on students’ academic performance


Setting Goals for the Future• Students begin to think seriously about

career goals• They begin to understand long-term

effects of their decisions• They may have inflated, unrealistic

plans


Objective

• Identify the social skills teens need to develop for adult success and devise strategies for teaching one such skill.

© Edyta Pawlowska/Shutterstock


Social-Emotional Development• Teens define their importance as

individuals• Movement toward independence

– increases importance of peer relationships– may put strain on teen-parent

relationships


For Reflection

• What influences your behavior more: your parents or your peers? Why do you think this is the case?



Redefining Self

• Teens begin to– question who they are– establish a personal identity independent

of parents

• This includes sexual identity• Adults can reinforce positive self-

concepts• Redefining self continues into early

adulthood


Moving Toward Independence• Hormones trigger the drive toward

autonomy• Teens also look to adults outside the

family for acceptance and advice• Teens may feel fully mature, but their

confidence may lessen outside of high school

continued


Moving Toward Independence

• Young teens still need rules and limits

• These are gradually loosened as teens prove they are reliable and trustworthy

© Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock


Refining Relationships

• Relationships change significantly during adolescence:– Peer relationships– Romantic

relationships– Family relationships

© Helder Almeida/Shutterstock


Peer Relationships

• For young teens,– popularity is important– mistakes feel like major disasters– it is easier to blame the group instead of

taking personal responsibility– friendships may change with frequency– fads are common

continued


Peer Relationships

• Older teens– form closer, long-lasting friendships– choose friends based on personality,

character, common interests– may find social acceptance and leadership

opportunities in extracurricular activities


Romantic Relationships

• Young teens may feel shy and awkward with the opposite sex

• They begin by socializing in groups– Male clusters– Female clusters

continued



• May be some pairing off, but group dating is common

© oliveromg/Shutterstock continued



• Older teens may– form couple relationships– decide to delay sexual relationships or

become sexually active– stay in a hurtful or even abusive

relationship


Family Relationships

• Teens must learn skills needed to become independent adults

• Parents must gradually give teens more freedom and less supervision

• Parents must balance between needs for safety and independence

• Peers become more influential than family


For Reflection

• Do you agree that teen years are difficult for parents and teens? How have you overcome difficulties in your family?



Dealing with Emotional Challenges• Changes result in confusion and

anxiety• Coping methods include

– sports and activities– diaries and journals– developing resilience


For Discussion

• Discuss examples of how resilience can help teens cope with emotional changes.



Objective• Identify the impact of various influences that

impact teens’ development of personal values.© Konstantin

Sutyagin/Shutterstock


Moral Development

• Teens move from concrete to abstract thinking– They begin to think in terms of being

morally wrong instead of the consequences of punishment

– They may see moral decisions in all-or-nothing terms

– Older teens are often idealistic and concerned with their impact on the world


Establishing Personal Values• Teens must decide for themselves

what type of people to be• They may question existing values,

reexamining parents’ and society’s beliefs, rules, and laws

• Teens develop more empathy and satisfaction in helping others


Understanding Risk-Taking Behaviors• Teens often have a feeling of

invincibility• High-risk behaviors give teens a feeling

of independence and control• Brain development that regulates

judgment and self-control may not yet be complete

continued


Understanding Risk-Taking Behaviors• Other characteristics associated with

high-risk behaviors include– low self-esteem– struggles in school– negative peer influence– lack of parent-teen communication– lack of parental supervision


For Discussion

• Have you ever experienced a feeling of invincibility? Why do you think this was the case?



Key Points• Physical changes during puberty can

be difficult for teens to handle• Teens begin abstract thinking• Social-emotional development is

especially challenging as teens become independent


Review• What is metacognition?thinking critically about a person’s own

thinking• ____ is independence that includes

personal responsibility and decision making.

Autonomy

continued


Review• Why is resilience a positive way of

coping?It helps teens bounce back after a defeat

or setback.• What characteristics are associated with

teens who are likely to engage in high-risk behavior?

low self-esteem, struggling in school, negative peer influence, low parent-teen communication, lack of parental supervision

5 the teen years: growth and development permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.©...

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