131241720_3559301827457973_7164854323369889569_n

Middle Adolescence Physical Development

Published December 16, 2020

Ages 10 to 14: Early Adolescence
Physical Growth & Development
• Puberty for many children and pre-teens begins during this stage of adolescence.
• Pre-teens experience both physical growth and sexual development,which can be uncomfortable for pre-teens and teens.
• Body changes during early adolescence may include developing hair under the arms and in the pubic area, testicular enlargement in males,
and breast development in females.
• Changes usually start happening earlier for females than for males. Females may start developing a year or two ahead of boys in most cases.
• Changes can start as early as age 8 in females and age 9 for males but can become more noticeable at the onset of adolescence.
Mental & Emotional Development
• Pre-teens and teens begin to assert more independence as they move through the stages of adolescence.
This means they may rebel, especially when parents reinforce rules and set limits.
• Children of this age group often have an increased need for privacy, another sign of wanting more independence and less supervision.
• They may also require more privacy to deal with the curiosity and anxiety that come with body changes and new feelings.
• It’s common for pre-teens to become more focused on themselves, or a bit egocentric.
Their thoughts and feelings are centered on themselves, making them self-conscious.
• At this point, kids start feeling like they are always being judged by people, especially their peers.
• At this point in adolescence, children have a very “black-and-white” thought process.
Something is either right or wrong, with no room for other interpretation.
They see things as either amazing or awful, rarely ever just “okay.”
Ages 15 to 17: Middle Adolescence
Physical Development
Changes from puberty are still happening in teens during middle adolescence.
• Physical changes in females may have slowed down or finished, but by this age most will start having regular menstrual periods.
• Most males will have started their pubescent growth spurt
• Male’s voices begin to lower and there may be a period where the voice cracks.
• Acne develops in both males and females. Mental & Emotional Development
• As the brain continues to develop, thought processes mature during this time, however, they still do not process things like adults yet.
o The frontal lobes are the last parts of the brain to develop and are not fully mature by this stage. The frontal lobes are responsible for complex decision making, judgment, impulse control, and considering the consequences of actions.
• Teens at this age may be able to start thinking in the abstract and start seeing the bigger picture rather than the specifics of one situation.
They can use logic but are still primarily driven by emotion.
• Teens of this age start feeling interested in romantic and sexual relationships.
• Exploration of their sense of identity as well as beliefs and values is common.
Some teens want to fit in with their peers while others want to assert their individuality.
Ages 18 to 24: Late Adolescence
Physical Development
During late adolescence, physical development has been completed for most young people.
Most people have grown to their full adult heights. Mental & Emotional Development
The brain is completing its development during late adolescence.
However, the frontal lobe will not fully develop until around age 25.
That’s why some people consider late adolescence to be ages 18 to 24.
• Young people in this age range usually have better impulse control and decision-making skills than in middle adolescence.
Risks and rewards are more accurately evaluated.
• There is a stronger sense of identity in older adolescents.
• Values and beliefs are often solidified during this stage.
• Independence increases as many young adults separate from their parents to live outside their childhood homes.
• Established relationships with parents, siblings, and other family members may change in nature now that adulthood has nearly been reached.
• Thoughts may turn to the future and decisions may be based on their beliefs, desires, and hopes.

Awesome Paint Job!

July 12, 2019

The painters are doing a great job on the ceilings in The Yunion’s new building!

Read More

Emotional Freedom

July 10, 2019

I never would have thought my journey to freedom from emotional incarceration would have ignited a movement… but I am glad I shared my testimony.

Read More

Cry Like A Man Book

July 9, 2019

It’s so encouraging to see Iyanla Vanzant using my book #CryLikeAMan as a resource to foster trauma release and healing between a father and his sons.

Read More

Act of Love

July 9, 2019

This may not be her “love language” but we do not believe in that concept because love is not a language—it’s action.

Read More

First day of Keys 2 Life Performance Arts Summer Camp!

July 8, 2019

First day of Keys 2 Life Performance Arts Summer Camp!

Read More

T.H.U.G

July 3, 2019

Do not be deceived—many men cast a hard appearance to hide the hurt!

Read More

Sharing Stories with men of the Most High

July 1, 2019

We transparently shared stories of trials and trauma as we discussed #CryLikeAMan.

Read More

We can either complain or train

June 30, 2019

I will never forget the evening he complained to my mother about my poor dining etiquette at a restaurant.

Read More

SEXUAL SELF CONTROL

June 29, 2019

Jason Wilson teaching our recruits how to walk the path of righteousness—and avoid the way of the pimp.

Read More

APP National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Conference

June 29, 2019

We are so proud of our Program Coordinator, Ronald Lee Jr. and Director of Operations, Eric Reed, for doing an awesome job presenting on the Yunion’s work with the juvenile justice population using the performing arts!

Read More

Chris promoted to Sharäth

June 26, 2019

The worse thing a visionary leader can do is not have a plan for succession—I refused to fail in this area.

Read More

The Vision Behind Keys2Life Summer Camp

June 26, 2019

he desired to create a space where youth could not only express their emotions and release their stress through music, but also get life skills training!

Read More

Be Human and Cry Like A Man

June 21, 2019

during my teenage years, I searched for affirmation from the wrong people and places —living a lifestyle that could have sentenced me to prison or buried me in a grave.

Read More

CONSIDER IT JOY

June 18, 2019

I had to remind myself that there’s no such thing as a “bad day” when you’re a servant of the Most High.

Read More

Honor Thy Father

June 15, 2019

The conviction was too strong to dismiss, so I prayed and pushed through the emotions that prohibited me from being obedient. 

Read More

Sexual Risk Avoidance Education

June 14, 2019

The Yunion provides teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and HIV/STD prevention programming to 1000 youth across 3 counties in Southeastern Michigan.

Read More

Blog Categories

SEARCH THIS BLOG: