Adolescence Fact Sheet- (13 Years- 18 Years)

Physical: Girls: o Breasts begin developing between ages 8 and 13 o Height dramatically increases o Pubic hair begins to appear around 10 ! years o Strength increases o Menarche, or the first menstruation may occur between 10 ! to 14 years o Weight shifts o Adult stature is reached between 10 and 16 o By 17, all adult maturation features develop (pubic hair, breasts)

Boys: o Testes begin to develop between 9 ! and 13 ! years o Pubic hair begins to grow around 10 ! and 15 years o Penis begins to grow between 10 ! and 14 ! years o Height dramatically increases until age 16 o Spermarche, or first ejaculation may occur between 12 and 16 o Facial hair starts to grow around 12 ! to 15 ! years o Voice changes and gets deeper by age 15 ! o By age 17 ! adult maturation features develop (penis, testes, strength, height, pubic hair growth)

Language: Masters syllable stress patterns of abstract words (Berk, L. E. (2013) Knows about 40,000 words Understands sarcasm, irony, and proverbs Refines grammatical structures Communicates clearly

Cognitive: Reasons abstractly in situations that offer many opportunities for hypothetico-deductive reasoning and propositional thought (Berk, L. E. (2013) Grasps the logical necessity of propositional thought, permitting reasoning about premises that contradict reality (Berk, L. E. (2013)

 Cultural:

Decision making becomes more matured

Increasingly emphasizes ideal reciprocity as the basis for interpersonal relationships and societal laws (Berk, L. E. (2013)

Social:

Understands moral reasoning and behaviors

Self-conscious Can understand others body language and emotional cues Begin making life long friendships Interest in romantic relationships

Atypical Developmental Signs: Typical adolescent behavior taken to the extrememore moody, more hostile (Shelov, Steven & Hannermann, Robert E. (1991, 1993, 1998, 2004) Defiant Does not communicate with parents or teachers Alienates oneself Poor eating habits, harmful disorders Drinking and/or using drugs

Strategies to Influence Learning and Development: Provide freedom but give limits and specific guidelines Encourage open communication and leave all judgments aside Be a good example (behavior, attitude, responsibilities, diet, nutrition, hygiene, etc.)

Express their importance to you

References

Berk, L. E. (2013).Child development. (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Shelov, Steven & Hannermann, Robert E. (1991, 1993, 1998, 2004). American Pediatrics: Northern California Training Academy. Child Developmental Milestones. Retrieved from http://calswec.berkeley.edu/files/uploads/pdf/CalSWEC/09C_CD_Milestones_4p erpage.pdf