Understanding your Adolescent
Adolescence describes the teen age years between 13 and 19 and can be considered the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood. However, the physical and psychological changes that occur in adolescence can start earlier, during the pre-teen or "tween" years (ages 9-12).
Adolescence can be a time of both disorientation and discovery. The transitional period can bring up issues of independence and self-identity. Sometimes adolescents may be experimenting with drugs and alcohol or sexuality. During this time, peer groups and external appearance tend to increase in importance.
Adolescence/Psychology Today
Understanding your PreTeenMost experts believe that the idea of preteens being controlled by their "raging hormones' is exaggerated. Nonetheless, this age can be one of mood swings, sulking, craving privacy, and short tempers. Younger kids are not able to think far ahead, but preteens can - and do, which allows them to worry about the future. Some may worry excessively about :
- Being bullied at school
- Drugs and drinking
- Dying
- Hunger and poverty in the country
- Not having friends
- Nuclear bombs and terrorists attacks on the country
- School violence
- Divorce of their parents
- Possible death of a parent
- Appearance, physical development and popularity
- Inability to get a good job
- School Performance
Mark Hutton, M.A.
Transition to Adolescence
As children approach and enter adolescence, school and community influences begin to compete with the home environment as key factors in their lives. Broader community influences, such as mass media, become increasingly important influences on their attitudes and behaviours.
Young people who make a healthy transition to adolescence exhibit the following characteristics.
- They have a positive, secure and integrated identity.
- They exhibit social competency and strong interpersonal skills, including cordial relationships with family members.
- They have a commitment to learning and to participating in school
- They make healthy, appropriate behaviour choices.
- They can adapt to change and are learning to cope with adversity.
To achieve these outcomes, children and adolescents need to learn the required knowledge and skills. More importantly, they need supportive environments at home, in school. and in the community that provide clearly defined boundaries, and the support of people who love them.
Growing Healthy Kids
