Young Adolescents

1
Young Adolescents

• Development and Issues

2
Communities Affecting the Young Adolescent

• Family
• Neighborhood
• Ethnic/Racial Religious
• Peers
• Society completely surrounds the adolescent.

3
Conflicting Communities

• Oftentimes, these communities exert conflicting
  INFLUENCES on the young adolescent.
• Example family expectations vs. peer or
  neighborhood norm

4
Throughout Young Adolescence

• Change is constant.
• Individual differences among students is HIGH
  (diverse populations).
• More likely to develop unacceptable behavior or
  participate in unacceptable acts.
• All middle levelers are at-risk at one time or
  another (Walker 1991).

5
The Need Factor James

• Be needed
• Need
• Move inward
• Affect outer world
• Take risks try, fail and still be okay
• Establish routines and facts
• Create
• Be physically active or still
• Be separate or to belong
• Succeed
• Be respected

6
Physical Development

• Growth spurt 2 years Boys (9-10 inches) and
  Girls (7 inches)
• Girls may weigh more than boys.
• Boysage 14 Girlsage 12 (peaks)
• Puberty begins (boys83 by age 14 girls88 by
  age 12).
• Gender-specific development
• Boys Deeper voice, facial hair
• Girls Hips widen, breasts develop

7
Implications

• Restlessness and Fatigue
• Physical Diversity (Body image)
• Nutritional Problems
• Sexual Awareness
• Sexual Identity
• Depression and Acute Health Conditions
• Bones grow faster than muscle
• Are at best between 9 and 11 A.M.
• Lack endurance and strength

8
Psychosocial Development

• Friendships/social networks expand
• Allegiance shifts from adults to peers
• Mood swings
• Self-esteem increases/decreases
• Preoccupied with themselves
• Desire freedom/independence
• Peer influence on behavior, speech, attire
• Social skills lack behind mental/physical
  maturity
• Seek constant affirmation

9
Implications

• Rapid physical development
• Peer pressure /-
• Shifting allegiances
• Preoccupation with appearances
• Adult behaviors
• Changing self-esteem
• Aggressive behaviors and violence
• Personal problems are unique to them

10
Cognitive Development

• Think in concrete terms
• Begin to think about the future (14)
• Experience excitement about learning new concepts
• Internalize right and wrong
• Develop personal attitudes/perspectives towards
  others and institutions
• Begin solving real-life problems