Periods of Development

Adolescence Fact Sheet

Physical Milestones
This period of development, adolescence face puberty that impacts their
physical development significantly. Berk (2103) explains that, “On average,
adolescents gain 10 to 11 inches in height and about 50 to 75 pounds in
weight” (Section 5.1). Due to the growth increase, adolescence become more
hungry and sleepy while potentially becoming uncoordinated due to new
changes occurring quickly.
Language Milestones
Adolescence continue to expand their vocabulary and understanding of words.
If learning a dual language, they may have completely mastered it or have the
ability to communicate with someone with that language. They can
understand deeper concepts and ideas established in literature due to the
vocabulary they understand. Speech and grammar are also well structured.
Cognitive Milestones
Thinking has become more complex as reasoning becomes more abstract and
decision making becomes an easier process. Stanford University website
explains, “During adolescence (between 12 and 18 years of age), the
developing teenager acquires the ability to think systematically about all
logical relationships within a problem. The transition from concrete thinking
to formal logical operations occurs over time” (n.d., para 3). During this
period of development adolescence are able to think about thinking.
Social-Emotional Milestones
In this period, relationships take on a whole new meaning as they evolve from
friendships into romantic relationships which holds a deeper value to other’s
emotions. They also become even more independent from their parents as
they prepare for college and adulthood.
Moral Reasoning/ Self -Regulation Milestones
Adolescence have a deeper understanding of values and morals that they
utilize to determine the values and morals that they will retain and reject,
becoming part of who they are as a person. Since they are older, they are
beginning to think about their future and their role in society. Since they
already understand the concept of empathy with others they begin to think
about society and what is good for it.
Signs of Atypical Development
Atypical development during this period would be very easy to determine as
the individual would be doing behaviors not typical to their nature. Such
examples would be poor hygiene or general grooming occurring or changes in
body condition leading to believe there may be an eating disorder or other
issues occurring leading to lack of healthy habits.
Influencing Learning and Development
This stage faces a lot of the influential factors outside of the home control. To
influence learning and development it is important for families to educate
their child on the negative influences they may be pressured into. Showing
support and enthusiasm on education and life goals is essential for an
adolescence.
Resources Social and cultural influence
Peer pressure to become involved in certain activities increases as they are
Berk, L. E. (2013). Child development. (9th ed.). expected to take more risks and experiment with various things in life.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Retrieved from Adolescence face the cultural norms that have been established by their
https://content.ashford.edu/ family versus the way they identify with their peers to fit in.
Play-based Strategies
Stanford University. (n.d.). Cognitive Development.
Retrieved from Although play is not really thought of as something adolescents do, utilizing
http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=c play in the form of games like jeopardy, hangman, and even student made
ognitive-development-90-P01594 games are great strategies for guiding education.