By: Kristi Olson

Social-Emotional Development Teens are defining who they are as independent individuals. The movement towards greater independence often puts a strain on parent-parent teen relationships.

Redefining Self When abstract thinking skills develop teens start to question who they are. Media, parents, religion and cultural heritages play a big role. Young teens are extremely self conscious. Prime time for experimentation.

Moving towards independence Autonomy: independence that includes personal responsibility and decision making Young teens begin to look to adults outside the family for advice. Teachers are responsible for modeling adult coping skills for teens.

Refining Relationships Peer relationships, especially the opposite sex, take on much more importance. Relationships with parents become much more strained. Young teens strive for social acceptance Older teens are looking for relationships with the opposite sex and find true friends instead of basing friends on social status.

Emotional Changes Described as an emotional rollercoaster. Teens deal with anxiety due to looks, size, or falling behind in school RESILIENCE: being able to bounce back after a defeat or setback

Moral Development Teens tend to think in all-or-nothing terms develop post conventional morality- teens begin to believe that it is wrong to steal or cheat because it is morally wrong. Struggle with reporting friends who may be doing bad crime.

Establishing personal values Teens seem to ignore all that they have been taught about right and wrong. Ultimately try to consider what kind of adult they want to be. Start to look at role models

Understanding risk taking behaviors Feeling of invincibility- feeling of being incapable of being defeated or having anything bad happen. Accidents are the leading cause to death among teens. Most brain development is completed by the end of teen years, some parts are still developing though Judgment, self control and emotions.

Works Cited Book used in class, chapter 5, pages