CHANGES DURING THE TEEN YEARS

VOCABULARY

ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence is the stage of life between childhood and adulthood. It is the time you begin to form your own beliefs and values.

PUBERTY

Puberty is the time when you start developing physical characteristics of adults of your gender. Males usually go through puberty between the ages of 11 and 14. Girls usually go through puberty between the ages of 8 and 14

HORMONES

Hormones are chemical substances, produced in glands, that help regulate many body functions.

PEERS

Peers are people in your age group

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Community service is volunteer programs whose goal is to improve the community and the life of its residents.

PHYSICAL CHANGES

  • Adolescents will have growth spurts (females normally have a growth spurt first)
  • Male voices may deepen
  • Skin changes and may be more oily
  • Some adolescents experience acne (which is temporary)
  • Both males and females will develop auxiliary hair
  • Males will develop into a “v” shape, while females broaden at the hips
  • Both males and females will get stronger

How to cope with these changes:

  • Keep skin clean
  • Eat healthier and fuel your body the right way
  • Be active
  • Mark your progress (height and weight)
  • DO NOT criticize yourself
  • REALIZE: everyone is changing… IT IS NORMAL!

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL CHANGES

  • Thinking changes from CONRETE TO ABSTRACT (Childlike to Adult like)
  • You can learn more in a shorter time
  • You are able to face problems that are more complex
  • You develop a larger vocabulary
  • You become better at decision making
  • You begin to learn from history/past mistakes
  • You become a better problem solver

ACADEMICS

  • Start good study habits now
  • School should be your top priority
  • Take advantage of extra help

Specific EMOTIONAL Changes

  • Mood swings: severe and sudden changes in the way you feel
  • You start to recognize others around you have needs as well
  • You may start to feel attraction towards others
  • HORMONES contribute to all of these emotional changes

SOCIAL CHANGES

During adolescence:

  • You make more time for your friends/peers
  • You make more friends
  • You lose some friends
  • You experience cliques
  • You experience peer pressure
  • Your experiences with peers and friends effects your emotions
  • You have less time with your parents/guardian/family
  • You may not share as much information with your family
  • You may feel the need to gain trust
  • You will experience more responsibilities at home

** Now is the time to get involved in community service programs**