Adolescence Development

Physical Development
Adolescence is a time of rapid growth in height and weight and of physical changes
throughout the body. Most of these changes occur near the time of puberty, which usually begins
(as earlier mentioned in middle childhood) for girls between the ages of 9 and 11, and for most
boys between the ages of 9 and 13. Girls usually grow rapidly during early puberty. Then
growth slows down with the first menstrual period (menarche), which most commonly happens
sometime between ages 11 and 14. (It can happen as early as age 9 or up to age 15.) For boys,
the height spurt occurs after other signs of puberty have developed. While boys lag behind girls
in height in early adolescence, they typically end up being taller than girls (A. U. Healthwise,
2012). This happens because after growth starts, boys grow at a faster rate and for a longer
period of time. Girls reach their approximate adult height around 16 years of age, and boys at
about 18 years of age.
One major finding of physical growth in the adolescence years that was interesting is to learn
that there is an increase in the size of organs; the heart doubles in weight, and lung size increases.
It was also interesting to learn as stated by Berk, (2013); Many girls will reach their adult

stature by age 13 years old, and vary between 10-16 years of age. Boys average year of reaching
adult stature is around 15.5 years old and will vary from 13.5-17.5 years of age; this also shows
that males will continue to physically develop longer than females (p.204).
Language Development
Language development will continue throughout our entire lives as we will learn new words
or expressions every day. As we gather in more social group settings and communicate more
with those around us as also stated in middle childhood years; the way adolescence may
communicate will change as they grow older. However how we communicate with adolescence
groups will make a world of communication difference.

Cognitive Development
As adapted from Thompson, & Nelson, (2001); while explaining the auditory, visual, and
language areas of the cerebral cortex from birth throughout life. It is emphasized that the
Prefrontal cortex is among the last regions to reach adult levels of synaptic connections. This
occurs in mid to late adolescence. This would conclude that Myelination in the brain is rapid at

birth, slows in middle child hood and acceleration occurs again in adolescence. The Myelination
helps to accelerate the speed at which neurons are able to function, this also allows for faster and
more adaptive cognitive thinking and learning.
Berk, (2013) also expresses that because advances in cognitive control are gradual, teenagers
tend to perform less well than adults on tasks requiring inhibition, planning, and future
orientation (p.222). It is further emphasized that this could be many causes for adolescence to
have heightened sensitivity, and some regulation difficulties.

Atypical Behaviors
As our youth develop into fine young men and women; there are areas that we should indeed still
keep watch out for. Many of the areas could involve depression, obesity, suicidal thoughts or actions
and most of all substance abuse. While this is the major step of maturation for our youth; it is also a
time of great pressures from peers, possible rejection from their peers and sometimes a lack of knowing
which way is the best direction for your child to go. Making harsh or rash decisions could alter the
youths life and there may not be sufficient forethought before it is too late to correct the possibly
erratic behaviors that the Adolescent is displaying.

Strategies that Families can Utilize to Encourage Learning During Adolescence

Speaking openly with children about their desires, sexually receptive interests, and peers groups will
show the adolescent that you are interested in their life and their well-being. As Parents and loved ones
in is so very important that we are allowing ourselves to hear the thoughts and true meaning of what
the other is expressing. Keeping open and non-judgmental ideas of our own know to the adolescent
involved.
Youth may need assistance with coping with sexual identity and preferences of their own choice; we
must be able to properly cope with their decisions whether we feel they are right, wrong or indifferent.
Most of all we need to try to support our children the best we can during this time of possible rebellion,
confusion and integration into the adult world of independence.
Play based strategies to help children gains stronger abilities through Adolescence
Knowing that this stage is veering our youth towards independence and early adulthood; it is
imperative that we encourage them to find things of interest that will encourage social growth as well as
healthy and active ways to find who they are or who they want to become. Some good ideas of this
while allowing them independence as well as gaining abilities in this hard time is to encourage the
adolescence to be involved in sports or other physical activities such as swimming, or even being
involved in drama or arts with their peers. Encouraging social interactions will help the youth gain
friends as well as to learn of more people with similar interests.
It is also important to keep open communication with adolescence as this can be a confusing time for
them to convey or even easily understand their own feelings or emotions. In our family we have family
movie night every Friday night. This is a time when there are no friends or visitors and we will make

popcorn and watch movies. Not only is this a fun way to enjoy family time; but it allows for us all to
have some down time with no obligations to anything other than relaxing as a family. This also allows for
the adolescent to not have to be so concerned about what their peers think or feel about them. In a
time when social acceptance is so important to the child, it can also be very stressful.