Dealing with Teens During Adolescence

By: Lena Richardson & Kendra Wenning

What is adolescence?Adolescence literally means to grow into adulthood :•onset of puberty --> adulthood

Adolescence is a time of confusion and sensitivity to one’s outward appearance.

Jaffe, 1998 ,P.19

Question

Understanding Adolescent Developmental Stages

Aspects of Development

Early Adolescence Ages 10-13

Middle Adolescence Ages 14-16

Late Adolescence Ages 17-19

Physical *Significant physical/Sexual Maturation*Intense concern with body image

*Continuing physical/sexual changes*Less concern with body image

*Physical/sexual changes complete*Greater acceptance of physical appearance

Cognitive *Concrete thinking

*Growth of capacity to think abstractly

*Capacity for abstract thought in place

Table 1 (1999)

Developmental Stages (cont)Aspects of Development

Early Adolescence Ages 10-13

Middle Adolescence Ages 14-16

Late Adolescence Ages 17-19

Emotional *Growing independence in decision-making

*Development of sense of identity*Exploration of ability to attract partners begins

*Sense of identity established

Social *Increasing influence of peersFeeling attracted to others begins

*Enormous influence of peers/school environment*Increase in sexual interest

*Serious intimate relationships begin to develop

Table 1 (1999)

Developmental Stages (cont)

Aspects of Development

Early Adolescence Ages 10-13

Middle Adolescence Ages 14-16

Late Adolescence Ages 17-19

Behavioral *Experimenting with new ways of behaving begins

*Risk-taking behavior

*Capacity for realistic risk assessment

Table 1 (1999)

How do they feel?

AFFECTED BY:

Media portrayals

Views of peers

Economic situation

Parental relationships

CAUSES:

Body Image/self esteem issues

Needing Acceptance, following the crowd

Insecurity, depression, anxiety

Confusion, anger, sadness

(Reamer, Siegel, & Fritz 2009)

Characteristics of Adolescents

Let’s incorporate our knowledge to understanding actions: (fill in the blank)Because of _______ (Physical , Cognitive,

Emotional, Social, Behavioral) developmental changes, child may feel ________.

ConfusedSensitive Embarrasse

d

Frustrated

Feelings Actions

How do these feelings lead to actions: If you feel ____________ how do you

usually react?▪ Scared▪ Inferior▪ Frustrated▪ Angry▪ Disappointed▪ Ashamed

Negative Interactions

What about how y0u talk with your adolescent?

Examples…

How can we use our knowledge when interacting with our teen?

Now, YOU be the kid!

Activity Time

Questions/Answers

Aspects of Development Stages of Adolescent Development

Physical Early Adolescence (10-13)

Cognitive

Emotional Middle Adolescence (14-16)

Social

Behavioral Late Adolescence (17-19)

Your Teen

Understanding your teen can be difficult. While you are struggling to understand what is going on with your teen, your teen is trying to understand who they are and what is going on as well.

Your teen is in a transition period where he or she is trying to figure out four major questions.

Four Major Questions?

Who am I? Am I normal? Am I competent? Am I lovable and loving?

Table 3, 1999

Set the Tone Give your child freedom to explore his/her world so that

he/she can answer the question “Who Am I.”

Give your child room to be like their peers—fitting in helps adolescents feel “normal”.

Assist adolescents with their problems and challenges but do not solve them.

Adolescents develop best when they have supportive families and community life.

“Praying for your children is one of the best ways to love them” (Towns & Earley, 2010, p. 17).

Table 3, 1999

Positive Interactions Spend time doing

something your adolescent wants to

do. (Movies, Mall, Bowling, Skiing, Skydiving, etc).

Open Mic Night/Family

Vacations

Schedule Time

Connecting

“Getting close to your teen requires your effort to understand what he or she is experiencing” (Cline & Fay, 2006, p. 95).

Effective Communication Practice active listening.

Focus on the positive.

Create opportunities for communication.

Avoid power struggles and confrontations.

Remember it is natural for communication to decrease during adolescence.

http://www.eckerdacademy.org/articles/ten-communication-strategies-for-parents-of-teenagers.html

Knowing your teen

Know your teen and what’s out of the normal.

Know your teens’ schedule. Know your teens’ friends.

Application

Remember the aspects of development by keeping and glancing over the reminder cards.

Utilize your email calendars or personal calendars by scheduling time to spend with your adolescent(s) at least once a week.

Questions/Comments

References Cline, Foster, & Fay, Jim. (2006). Parenting teens with love and logic. Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress

Pub Group.

Fritz, G. (2009, June). The economic crisis is our children's crisis too. Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, p. 8. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

Get Organized: A guide to preventing teen pregnancy (Volume 1). (1999). Washington, DC: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

Jaffe, M. L. (1998). Adolescence. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 0-471-57190-3.

Reamer, F., & Siegel, D. (2009). Guiding families in choosing the right intervention for their struggling teen. Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, 25(5), 1-6. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

Ten communication strategies for parents of teenagers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.eckerdacademy.org/articles/ten-communication-strategies-for-parents-of-teenagers.html.

Towns, E. L., & Earley, D. (2010). Praying for your children. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Publishers, Inc.