Learning Targets:

• Today we will discuss the meaning of adolescence.

• We will learn how different cultures celebrate adolescence.

• We will learn about physical, emotional, social changes and mental changes.

AdolescenceWhat do you think “Adolescence” means?

Talk about it with a neighbor!

Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Focus• Adolescence is the transition from

childhood to adulthood.

• Think of the changes you will experience in middle school. What kinds of challenges or changes do you expect to come across? Talk about it with a neighbor!

Development During Adolescence

• Begins b/t ages 10-13• Girls mature earlier

than boys

• Begins b/t ages 12-15• Boys mature later

than girls

Celebrating Adolescence• Can anyone think of a way our culture or

other cultures in the world celebrate adolescence?

• Many cultures celebrate when a child matures into an adult!

• Coming-of-Age Ceremonies are held when a child becomes recognized as an adult for the first time. Today, the transition into adulthood often happens without a formal, public celebration.Now we will take a look at how other cultures and

religions celebrate adolescence!

Cultural Rite-of-Passage• Quinceañera is the celebration of a girl’s 15th

birthday in parts of Latin America and in communities of immigrants from Latin America.

• This birthday marks the transition from childhood to womanhood.

• In Mexico the girl wears a “princess” dress, & has her hair and make-up done.

• There’s a mass, and then a celebration.• A ritual performed at a quinceanera is the ritual of the

shoe. In this ritual the teenager's father changes her flat, low-heel shoes to high heels, symbolizing, again, the girl's passage into maturity.

Religious AdolescentComing-of-Age Ceremony

• Confirmation: Roman Catholic Christians believe that Confirmation completes the process of initiation into the Christian community, and it matures the soul for the work ahead.

• Sometimes, those who have been confirmed are called "Soldiers of Christ." This refers to their spiritual duty to fight evil, darkness and Satan.

Cultural AdolescentComing-of-Age Ceremony• Igbo tribe: This tribe in Nigeria once had a traditional

coming-of-age ritual for both boys and girls. • The male initiates spent the night with the Otu Umunne

fathers at a designated location, while the female initiates did the same with the Otu Umunne mothers elsewhere.

• The children are taught teamwork, leadership, values, responsibilities, moral decisions, freedom, and valuing their heritage.

• Candles are lit, and prayers recited. The children pledge to conduct themselves in a manner that gives glory to God and that will command respect for them.

Can you think of any other adolescent rituals in

the U.S.?• Getting your driver’s license• Graduating from high school

Focus• As you go through adolescence, you will

mature and become more independent. • What are some ways you can

demonstrate to adults in your life that you are becoming independent?

• Talk about it with a neighbor!

What does it mean to “develop”?

To matureTo grow or change in some wayTo progress or advance

Adolescent Development

Physical Development

Social Development

Emotional Development

Intellectual/Mental Development

Physical Development

• Muscles develop and become stronger

• Growth Spurt

• Body hair becomes darker and thicker

• Boys will experience voice changes

Social Development• May experience peer pressure.

• Becoming more independent

Emotional Development

• may experience high stress• may experience a wide range of emotions, and nit

understand why• Begin to develop moral and ethical thinking

http://www.chhs.unh.edu/sites/chhs.unh.edu/files/docs/fs/adolescent_resources/Health_Body_Image.pdf

Intellectual/Mental Development

• Impulsive – adolescent children frequently make decisions before considering the consequences.

• Adolescent brains have a high capacity for learning new information.