Developmental Characteristics of Children and Youth Association for Supervision and Curriculum Design

Ages Peers Peers are main source of behavior standards (individual and group influence) Conforms to role assigned by group One’s sexual role is a concern, and info from peers is actively sought Crushes and hero worship common for same and opposite sex Boys and girls interest more divergent Girls more social than boys

Peers Continued Interests in opposite sex, although girls more interested in boys than boys in girls Faced with decisions regarding use of alcohol and drugs Peer groups influences intensifies

Ages At School May feel confused and frightened by new school setting (more complex) Begins to question and oppose School Authority School is the major setting for a variety of social experiences

Ages Emotions Tends to lack self-confidence and may be self conscious, shy and introspective Worries about others’ (peers) opinions Sometimes moody and unpredictable (emotional) Importance of conformity may result in intolerance of others’ who are different Will often appear ambivalent to adults Physical changes cause great emotional stress

Ages Thinking Transition from concrete to abstract thinking Emergence of independent, critical thinking Can solve problems by considering alternatives

Activities to stimulate Higher-Order Thinkingaccording to David Sousa Encourage students to use analogies and metaphors when describing and comparing new concepts Have students attempt to solve real-life problems Involve students in debates, role-plays or simulations Supplement textbooks with audio/visual content Assign television programs or newspaper articles to read. Follow with discussion and analysis