1. Adolescent Development
Training Leaders of Cadets - Seminar L2
Dr. Erin Ashby, Lt Col, CAP 

2. Overview
Developmental Issues of adolescents
Development of Responsibility
Learning styles
Student-centered education

3. Intellectual Development
Age 12-13
Concrete thinking
Age 14-16
Development of abstract thinking
Activities are for immediate gratification, little future relevance
Age 17-20
Abstract and critical thinking
Intellectual Support –use concrete examples and abstract examples
Expectations of problem solving skills
Use of socratic questioning to draw out the thought process
Development of the ability to see the big picture

4. Psychosocial Development
Age 12-13
Body changes
Age 14-16
Concerns over opposite sex
Key social agents are peers
Age 17-20
Moving towards independence from parents and authority figures
Biggest issue here is girls dressing inappropriately to impress boys
Peer pressure- be aware, listen to what your cadets are saying, you will overhear a lot
Set cadets up to be independent, give control, involve them in choices

5. Ethical Development Age 12-13 Rebellion and self-doubt Ages 14-16
Rule and limit testing
Selection of role models
Experimentation with drugs and sex
Ages 17-20
Impulsive decisions
Set expectations and clear consequences for decisions to help develop adherence to rules and responsibility
Critical thinking –the ability to evaluate multiple hypothesis
Independence- give opportunities to contribute and control
Reinforce values constantly

6. Development of Responsibility
Age
Responsibility as
Responsibility For
Responsibility to 6
Obedience
Things
Work
Parents 8
Morality
Actions
Talents
Attitude
Society 10
Discipline
Choices
Character
Potential
Self 12
Service
Family
Dependability
Contribution
Others

7. The Four Modalities of Learning
Visual Auditory
Kinesthetic Tactile

8. Student-Centered Learning
The best cadet units are cadet-centered.
Cadets learn by doing; they are active participants, not passive receivers.
Subject matter must be relevant to cadets’ interests.
Cadets need to have a stake in their own learning.
Ranking cadets should be included in the decision making-process.

9. Summary Each cadet is an individual.
Use a variety of leadership & teaching styles so as to reach all cadets.
Consider age and maturity as you promote cadets and assign jobs including setting expectations.
Use student-centered approaches by involving cadets in decision-making.