The Teen Years, Explained An Overview of Healthy Adolescent Development

The Second Decade At no other time except infancy do human beings pack so much development into such a short period. During adolescence, children gain 50% of their adult body weight, become capable of reproducing, and experience an astounding transformation in their brains. All of these changes occur during – and are often the cause of – a rapid change in adolescents' social spheres. For example, teens start assuming adult responsibilities such as finding a job, figuring out romantic relationships, and learning how to be a good friend.

The Second Decade Adolescence can therefore be a confusing time, as there are so many conflicting things happening. On one hand, there are positive changes occurring; you may find yourself taller, stronger, or faster, and you may be given greater freedom and control over certain aspects of your life. However, negative changes can occur, too; you may find yourself more self-conscious, tired, moody, or concerned that you’re not developing in the same ways as your peers. Regardless of the changes you’re personally experiencing, it’s important to note that these fluctuations are both natural, and necessary. (And definitely won’t last forever!)

The Teenage Brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiduiTq1ei8

Stages of Adolescent Development There are three stages of adolescence: Early Adolescence, which occurs approximately between the ages of 10 and 15 Middle Adolescence, which occurs approximately between the ages of 14 and 17 Late Adolescence, which occurs approximately between the ages of 16 and 19

Stages of Adolescent Development In each stage of adolescence, different types of development occur: Physical Development: changes affecting your body, appearance, etc. Cognitive Development: changes affecting your thought processes Social-Emotional Development: changes affecting the way you form and maintain relationships, as well as your expression of emotions

Early Adolescence: Physical Development puberty is at its most active stage grow body hair gain height and weight girls: breast and hip development; onset of menstruation boys: growth in testicles and penis; deepening of voice increased sexual interest

Early Adolescence: Cognitive Development growing capacity for abstract thought mostly interested in present with limited thought about the future intellectual interests expand and become more important deeper moral thinking

Early Adolescence: Social-Emotional Development struggle with sense of identity feel awkward about one’s self and one’s body; worry about being “normal” realize that parents are not perfect; increased conflict with parents more influenced by peers desire for independence tendency to return to “childish” behavior, particularly when stressed moodiness rule and limit testing greater interest in privacy

Middle Adolescence: Physical Development puberty may just be starting, or may be coming to an end physical growth often slows for girls physical growth often continues for boys

Middle Adolescence: Cognitive Development continued growth of capacity for abstract thought greater capacity for setting goals interest in moral reasoning thinking about the meaning of life

Middle Adolescence: Social-Emotional Development often have very high expectations for self, but also don’t feel good enough/ capable of achieving expectations continued adjustment to changing body; worries about being normal tendency to distance selves from parents; continued drive for independence driven to make friends, and rely on them more than before; popularity can be an important issue feelings of love and passion

Late Adolescence: Physical Development young women are typically fully developed young men typically continue to gain height, weight, muscle mass, and body hair

Late Adolescence: Cognitive Development ability to think ideas through ability to delay gratification examination of inner experiences increased concern for future continued interest in moral reasoning

Late Adolescence: Social-Emotional Development firmer sense of identity increased emotional stability increased concern for others increased independence and self-reliance peer relationships remain important development of more serious relationships social and cultural traditions regain some of their importance