ADOLESCENE DEVELOPMENT

The development of children ages 12 through 18 years old is expected to include

predictable physical and mental milestones (Medline Plus, 2014).
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
During adolescence, children develop the ability to:
Understand abstract ideas, such as higher math concepts, and develop moral philosophies,
including rights and privileges
Establish and maintain satisfying relationships by learning to share
intimacy without feeling worried or inhibited
Move toward a more mature sense of themselves and their purpose
Question old values without losing their identity (Medline Plus, 2014)
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
During adolescence, young people go through many physical changes. Their bodies
develop from a young child to maturity. Girls begin to develop breast buds, pubic/armpit/leg
hair, and start menstruation. Boys begin to notice that their scrotum and testicles are growing,
they go through a growth spurt, and develop changes in the
tone of their voice. In mid- to late adolescence, young
people often feel the need to establish their sexual identity by
becoming comfortable with their body and sexual feelings.
Through romantic friendships, dating, and experimenting, adolescents learn to express and
receive intimate or sexual advances (Medline Plus, 2014).
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Adolescence has the ability to communicate clearly and in accord with social
expectations in diverse situations improves (Berk, 2013). Adolescence is able to hold complete
and sophisticated conversations. At this age, they are able to debate, communicate, and draw
conclusions from their conversations. Parents should know that their adolescents will repeatedly
challenge their authority. Keeping open lines of communication and clear, yet negotiable, limits
or boundaries may help reduce major conflicts (Medline Plus, 2014).
ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT
Signs that an adolescent is atypical are when they cannot meet the proper levels of
development. By this age, signs should be determined as to whether or not they reached the
correct level of development. Children may stop enjoying going to school and showing interest
in learning most days. They will also have issues sleeping through the night and experience
prolonged problems with bed-wetting, nightmares, or sleeping walking (Allen & Marotz, 2010,
2007).
DEVELOPMENTAL STRATEGIES
During adolescence, it is important for parents to communicate with their children. This
is a critical stage when they need the support of their parents. There should be an open line of
communication between parent and child to discuss interests, friends, and daily activities.
Providing children with the support they need allows them to understand that they have someone
on their side. Children go through stages of acceptance, denial, and separation with different
people in their lives.
References
Allen, K. E., & Marotz, L. R. (2010). Developmental Profiles: Pre-Birth through Twelve (6th
ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Berk, L. E. (2013). Child Development (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Children's Medical Service. (2012, August 30). Infant Toddler Development Training Module 1,
Lesson 3. Retrieved from http://www.cms-
kids.com/providers/early_steps/training/itds/module1/lesson3_3.html
Medline Plus. (2014, May 16). Adolescent Development. Retrieved from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002003.htm
Piper, T. (2012). Making Meaning Making Sense: Childrens Early Language Learning. San
Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education Inc.