JLBC A Quick Overview of Adolescent Development

JLBC A Quick Overview of Adolescent Development

Objectives: Material:

Handouts:

Time:

Participants will be able to describe core tasks of adolescent development Participants will be able to identify implications for program development

markers, slides, AV equipment

Three large sheets of newsprint were prepared with the headings “Elementary School,” “Middle School,” and “High School.”

blank white paper, pens

“Stages of Adolescent Development” “Section 1: Resources & References”

60 min

Before we delve into core concepts of positive youth development, let’s briefly look at the youth we are working with. What do we know about adolescent development? What is going on regarding physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral development? Although many of you have taken a course in child and adolescent development, a brief refresher might be helpful.

When does adolescence start and end?

Entertain some comments.

This is not an easy question. Generally, adolescence is considered to begin with the onset of puberty. The average age for girls is 10-12 (though some enter puberty as early as 8), and for boys, the age is 12-14 (some as early as 10), so we can say roughly around 10. There is less agreement about the end of adolescence. In the past, age 19 was commonly seen as the end of youth; with findings in adolescent brain development, there is some push to lengthen adolescence to age 25. For now, let’s go with the age range 10-19.

Slide 13: Adolescent Development

Activity: Timeline of Adolescent Development (30 min)

(Three stations, prepared newsprint)

Adolescent Development

What is going on in adolescence?

• Physically

• Cognitively

• Socially and emotionally

• Morally

What are some significant tasks and events?