The Teen Years: Growth and Development 5 The Teen Years: Growth and Development

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

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 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 unhealthful habits Teens may spend a great deal of time with diet and exercise grooming hair clothing

How might your experiences as an adolescent help you better understand your future teenage pupils? © Archipoch/Shutterstock

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 problems continued

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

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

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

What influences your behavior more: your parents or your peers What influences your behavior more: your parents or your peers? Why do you think this is the case? © Archipoch/Shutterstock

Redefining Self Teens begin to This includes sexual identity 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

Romantic Relationships May be some pairing off, but group dating is common © oliveromg/Shutterstock continued

Romantic Relationships 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 Teen years are difficult for parents and teens © Iakov Filimonov/Shutterstock continued

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

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

Dealing with Emotional Challenges Changes result in confusion and anxiety Coping methods include sports and activities diaries and journals developing resilience

Discuss examples of how resilience can help teens cope with emotional changes. © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock

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

Have you ever experienced a feeling of invincibility Have you ever experienced a feeling of invincibility? Why do you think this was the case? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock

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

thinking critically about a person’s own thinking What is metacognition? thinking critically about a person’s own thinking ____ is independence that includes personal responsibility and decision making. Autonomy continued

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