Young Adolescents

Who are they and how do we teach them?

“In no other stage of the life cycle, are the promises of

finding oneself and the threat of losing oneself so

closely allied.”

-Erik Erikson

“Young adolescents are at one moment coordinated and

awkward, shy and aggressive, attentive and distracted, astute

and absentminded.”

- M.A. James

John Hill’s Framework for Understanding Early Adolescence

• Primary Changes– Biological Changes– Psychological Changes– Changes in Social Definition

• Secondary Changes – Psychosocial • Attachment• Autonomy• Sexuality• Intimacy• Achievement• Identity

• Settings• Family• Peer• School

Young Adolescence is marked by:

• Profound and rapid changes• Tremendous variability• Changes occur irregularly• Race, poverty, or ethnicity may play a

vital role• Areas of development are intertwined• Growing and changing thinking

capacity• Developing sexual awareness• Appearance and body image issues• Peer acceptance becomes important• Burgeoning moral development

Characteristics of Young Adolescents:

Physical Development

• Rapid, irregular growth• Awkward, uncoordinated

movement• Restlessness and fatigue• Need to release energy• Appearance of secondary

sex characteristics• Bodily changes

magnified in comparison• Physically vulnerable

Cognitive-Intellectual Development

• Wide range of intellectual development

• Transition from concrete to abstract thinking

• Curious• Prefer active learning

experiences• Enjoy interaction during

learning experiences• Excel with real-life

learning• Begin to develop intra-

personal intelligence• Keen observers of adults

Characteristics of Young Adolescents:

Moral Development

• Transition from self-centered reasoning to other or principle oriented reasoning

• Idealistic – want to make the world a better place

• See “shades of gray” in issues

• Quick to see others’ flaws

• Influenced by adults with whom they have interaction

Psychological Development

• Self-preoccupied• Fluctuation of self-

esteem levels• Self-conscious and

highly sensitive• Psychologically

vulnerable• Develop traditional sex-

role behaviors• Desire recognition for

their positive behavior and achievements

Characteristics of Young Adolescents:

Social-Emotional Development• Strong need for approval• Concerned about peer acceptance• Overreact• Follow fads• Need alone time• Experiment with new behaviors and identities• Mood swings• Exhibit immature behavior• Socially vulnerable

Educational Implications

• Cross content area thematic units

• Exploratory coursed• Teaching approaches that

embrace their diversity• Assessment and evaluation

that promote learning• Interdisciplinary teams that

support meaningful relationships

• Health, wellness and safety policies

• Guidance and support services

•Create a safe, supportive educational environment•Active engagement of students and teachers •Establish mentoring/advisorship programs•School-Family connection•Relevant, challenging curriculum

• Your Subtopics Go HereTo change the world,

teach a young adolescent.

- National Middle School Association