1. Learning Targets: Today we will discuss the meaning of adolescence.
We will learn how different cultures celebrate adolescence.
We will learn about physical, emotional, social changes and mental changes.

2. Adolescence What do you think “Adolescence” means?
Talk about it with a neighbor!
Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood.

3. Focus Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Think of the changes you will experience in middle school. What kinds of challenges or changes do you expect to come across?
Talk about it with a neighbor!

4. Development During Adolescence
Begins b/t ages 10-13
Girls mature earlier than boys
Begins b/t ages 12-15
Boys mature later than girls

5. Celebrating Adolescence
Can anyone think of a way our culture or other cultures in the world celebrate adolescence?
Many cultures celebrate when a child matures into an adult!
Coming-of-Age Ceremonies are held when a child becomes recognized as an adult for the first time. Today, the transition into adulthood often happens without a formal, public celebration.
Now we will take a look at how other cultures and religions celebrate adolescence!

6. Cultural Rite-of-Passage
Quinceañera is the celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday in parts of Latin America and in communities of immigrants from Latin America.
This birthday marks the transition from childhood to womanhood.
In Mexico the girl wears a “princess” dress, & has her hair and make-up done.
There’s a mass, and then a celebration.
A ritual performed at a quinceanera is the ritual of the shoe. In this ritual the teenager's father changes her flat, low-heel shoes to high heels, symbolizing, again, the girl's passage into maturity.

7. Religious Adolescent Coming-of-Age Ceremony
Confirmation: Roman Catholic Christians believe that Confirmation completes the process of initiation into the Christian community, and it matures the soul for the work ahead.
Sometimes, those who have been confirmed are called "Soldiers of Christ." This refers to their spiritual duty to fight evil, darkness and Satan.

8. Cultural Adolescent Coming-of-Age Ceremony
Igbo tribe: This tribe in Nigeria once had a traditional coming-of-age ritual for both boys and girls.
The male initiates spent the night with the Otu Umunne fathers at a designated location, while the female initiates did the same with the Otu Umunne mothers elsewhere.
The children are taught teamwork, leadership, values, responsibilities, moral decisions, freedom, and valuing their heritage.
Candles are lit, and prayers recited. The children pledge to conduct themselves in a manner that gives glory to God and that will command respect for them.

9. Can you think of any other adolescent rituals in the U.S.?
Getting your driver’s license
Graduating from high school

10. Focus
As you go through adolescence, you will mature and become more independent.
What are some ways you can demonstrate to adults in your life that you are becoming independent?
Talk about it with a neighbor!

11. What does it mean to “develop”?
To mature
To grow or change in some way
To progress or advance

12. Adolescent Development
Physical Development
Social Development
Emotional Development
Intellectual/Mental
Development

13. Physical Development Muscles develop and become stronger Growth Spurt
Body hair becomes darker and thicker
Boys will experience voice changes

14. Social Development May experience peer pressure.
Becoming more independent

15. Emotional Development
may experience high stress
may experience a wide range of emotions, and nit understand why
Begin to develop moral and ethical thinking

16. Intellectual/Mental Development
Impulsive – adolescent children frequently make decisions before considering the consequences.
Adolescent brains have a high capacity for learning new information.