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MY TEEN EXPERIENCE

Quarter 1

MODULE

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Hi, you may be experiencing several changes in your physical, social, mental & emotional

growth and development. Are you excited with what you are experiencing and about to

experience as teenager? Do you have difficulty adjusting to the new tasks of teenager?

You are about to explore these changes and learn some techniques to cope with these

new tasks and changes.

EXPLORE Your Understanding

In this phase you will engage in different activities that will diagnose and activate

your prior knowledge about growth and development.

Picture Myself

Organize a photo essay of your growth and development in your notebook/journal log.

Focus on the unique characteristics of each stage of your growth and development.

Include your age, favorite activities, interest, physical appearance, and food choice in

your description of the picture in each stage.

Answer the question below.

- What unique characteristics did you observe in the different dimensions as an infant,

child, teenager or adult?

You have wonderful experiences I suppose. Reflect and recall those experiences and

graphically represent memorable events of your teenage life.

My Teen Life

Draw or write word/phrases/sentence to illustrate your feelings, worries, observations

about your teenage life.

The example below will guide you. You can make your own presentation.

Add more webs to illustrate how colorful your teenage life is.

Do this in your notebook/journal log.

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You may have different experiences so your way of illustrating your teenage life may be

different. Try to include as many memorable events in your teenage life as possible.

Look at your graphic presentation and answer the following questions:

How do you feel with your teenage life?

Have you experienced the changes that teenagers your age have experienced?

What is your greatest fear as far as adolescence stage is concern?

What aspect of your growth and development is very frustrating or interesting?

Do you know that teenage boys and girls have similarities and differences in some physical

changes? Let’s see if you can point these out through a diagram.

See the Similarities and Differences

Draw a Venn diagram and write in the right side of the diagram the physical changes that

only girls are experiencing during adolescence stage and on the left side area the physical

changes among boys only. Inside the overlapping area write the changes that happen to

both boys and girls.

My teenage

life

I’m worried

about the

pimples on my

face.

Oh I love to

go out with

friends!

I always have

a conflict with

my family.

Peer

pressure

crushes I tried

cream on

my face

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Look at your diagram and organize the changes you have listed into physical, mental,

emotional, and social. Make a classification chart to write your answer inside each circle like the

one below.

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You may have misconceptions and questions about growth and development. Don’t worry,

you will be exposed to different materials, activities that will help you clarify your thoughts

about the lesson.

Their Expectations - My Expectations

Try to explore the topic to answer the essential question.

“How should one approach/manage the challenges of adolescence?”

After doing all the activities and reading the materials, you are expected to be equipped

with skills to be able to manage appropriately challenges/problems that come your way at

this stage of your life and even onward.

Make a daily log of problems/challenges related to your growth and development that you

will experience.

Write how you manage to cope with the situation/problem. This will be evaluated at the

end of the quarter.

Your application of management skills will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Appropriateness

Relevance

Practicality

Do the next activity by listing your expectations and things you want to be clarified about

coping/managing skills.

Do this in your notebook /journal log.

Check those that have been answered and explore more if you are not clarified about it.

What I want to be clarified about my growth and development

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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FIRM UP Your Understanding

In this phase you will be exposed to learning experiences that will allow you

to analyze and concretize your understanding about the lesson.

READ and you will UNDERSTAND

Reading 1. Stages of Growth and Development

Growth and development is the area of health that focuses on caring for the body

systems, recognizing changes during growth periods, accepting maleness/femaleness, accepting

physical appearance, accepting one’s learning style, achieving appropriate developmental tasks,

learning about the beginning of new life, recognizing the needs of people of different ages,

preparing for aging, and sharing feelings about dying and death (Meeks and Heit, 1996).

The period from the first year of your life through your teen years is a time of enormous

growth. You learn more skills and forms many habits during these periods of your life. You also

go through different changes such as physical, social, mental and emotional.

According to Erik Erickson a scientist who studied the social and emotional development

of individuals from infancy to old age, people pass through eight stages of development. These

stages are as follows:

- Infancy from birth to 1 year old - Early childhood from 1 to 3 year old - Middle childhood from 3 to 5 year old - Late childhood from 6 to 11 year old - Adolescence from 12 to 18 year old - Young adulthood from 19 to 30 year old - Middle adulthood from 31 to 60 year old - Maturity and old age from 61 to death

If you belong to the adolescence stage, this period next to infancy is the fastest period of

physical growth. Adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood. Growth spurt

takes place during this period. The growth spurt is related to the release of hormones in your

body. These hormones are chemical substances produced in glands and regulate many of your

body functions. Your growth hormone determines when your body stops growing. Your growth

hormone is produced by the pituitary gland located near the base of your brain. Your brain

works with the pituitary gland to determine when growth will stop. Your body will stop growing

once the gland stops producing hormones.

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Growth and development during adolescence stage take place in all the three

dimensions or areas of your health triangle. You grow and develop physically, socially, mentally

and emotionally. There are individual differences in the rate of growth in all three areas of the

health triangle.

Physical growth

Adolescence period starts with puberty. It is the period of sexual development among

adolescents. The secondary sex characteristics occur during puberty such as:

- development of facial, pubic and underarm hair - development of the breast - widening of the hips among girls - increasing fat tissue in the buttocks and thighs of girls - onset of sexual desire - broadening of shoulders of the boys - boys voice deepened - development of muscle tissues

Boys and girls experience rapid and uneven growth during adolescence period. Uneven

because the outer parts of the body such as the head, hands, and feet grow first. They may feel

awkward because the hands and feet may seem too big for the rest of the body. Remember,

this development is normal so there is no need to be unhappy about it.

Social growth

At this point of your life, your friends become very important in your life and you spent

most of your time with them. You also meet people and form new relationships. You also

become more aware of other people’s needs.

According to experts, many aspects of your social growth are defined by the

developmental tasks basic to adolescence. These developmental tasks are important steps in

the process you go through to develop into the person you want to become. These are the

following:

- accept your body and its characteristics - gain a masculine or feminine view of yourself - become more independent of parents and other adults - develop interest in and a concern for your community - form more mature relationships with people of both sexes - get ready for marriage and family life as an adult - learn more about who you are

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- develop a set of your own values - learn how to solve problems in an adult way

Mental and emotional growth

As an adolescent you can solve now more complex problems than when you were a

child. Your thinking skills develop and you can see and understand other’s point of views at this

stage.

Your emotions and feelings also go through changes during adolescence. Some of

these changes include the following;

- Interest and feelings towards others. You see the needs of people around you and help them meet their needs. For example, you can listen to them when they have problems.

- Increased interest with the opposite sex. You have crushes and the feeling is sometimes very intense.

- Mood swing. Teenagers may feel very happy at a moment and unhappy the next. This mood swing or rapid change of emotion is caused by the release of hormones in the body.

Developmental Tasks

There are nine developmental tasks that are basic to adolescence. These are important in

the process of growth and development that you go through to develop to a person that you

want to become. These tasks are the following:

1. Accept your body and its characteristics. 2. Gain a masculine or feminine view of yourself. 3. Become more independent of parents and other adults. 4. Develop an interest and concern for your community. 5. Form more mature relationship with both sexes. 6. Learn more about who you are. 7. Get ready for marriage and family life as an adult. 8. Develop set of own values. 9. Learn to solve problems in an adult way.

Do you want to see if you are doing the tasks expected of you at this particular stage of

your life? Do the “Personal Inventory”. Write yes if the statement relates to you and write no if

it does not relate to you.

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PERSONAL INVENTORY

1. I try to look at all possible solutions when I have problems. 2. I act according to my beliefs. 3. There are many jobs I think I can do well as an adult. 4. I have more time talking and discussing with my parents and other adults than before. 5. I can list down my most important beliefs. 6. I do some tasks alone or with my friends that I used to do with my family. 7. The choices or decisions I make promote my health and well-being. 8. I know and accept my strength and weaknesses. 9. I listen to other people’s opinion and ideas even if they differ from mine. 10. I know what kind of man/woman I want to be as an adult. 11. I’m concern with local and even national issues today. 12. I have at least one or two close friends with whom I can talk about anything. 13. I’m successful in keeping relationship with male and female friends. 14. I can explain ways my life would be different when I become a parent.

Are you successful at the nine developmental tasks expected of you as an adolescent?

In what statement did you answer no? Try to work on these tasks in the coming days for your

health promotion. Do the “Task to Work on” and follow the instruction in doing this.

TASKS TO WORK ON

Choose 3 statements that do not relate to you and you answered “No” in the personal inventory

activity. Write these on the table under – “Task I have to work on.”

Write what you will do for improvement and for your health promotion.

An example is given to guide you.

Write this activity in your notebook/journal.

Task I have to work on How I will work on it

1. I listen to other people’s opinion and ideas even if they differ from mine.

1. I’ll always keep in mind to respect the opinions and ideas of other people because everybody is entitled to his/her own opinion. I will learn the skill or art of listening to see different perspectives aside from my own views and beliefs.

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READ to UNDERSTAND further

Reading 2. Getting Through Puberty

Puberty is the time when your body begins to develop and change as you move from kid

to adult. It is an exciting time as you move to take on all the rights and responsibilities of

adulthood.

Puberty means major changes, but is simply your body’s transition from childhood to

adulthood. You may even begin to wonder where you fit in the world. But these changes are

normal.

It is important that you know about these changes before they happen so you know

what to expect. It is also important to know that everybody goes through these changes.

Puberty differs from person to person some may experience it earlier and some at a later stage.

Puberty can be difficult both for parents and the adolescent as they adjust to the

changes. Everyone needs to be patient. As a result of these changes some problems may arise

such as the following:

Body odor. During early teen years, the sweat glands become more active. Since teenagers like you are very active playing or engaging in physical activities they perspire too much. If teenagers do not practice proper hygiene then they will have body odor. Take a bath or shower daily. Soap and water will remove bacteria and excess oil on your skin. Apply deodorant or antiperspirant daily. Sweat glands are numerous under the arms and any bacteria under your arms may act on perspiration and cause an unpleasant body odor.

Height and size variation. You will notice great variation in the size and shape of adolescents of the same age. This variation can be a source of concern among teenagers who compare themselves with others. Teenagers who grow taller than their classmates may feel conscious about their height. Teenage boy may feel embarrass when his voice “cracks” because of the growth of his larynx.

Every individual goes through the changes of puberty at his/her own rate. Some may

experience the changes sooner or later than other teenagers, this difference may cause

uncomfortable feeling to them.

Remember, every teenager experience these changes. These are normal experiences

and events in everybody’s life so there is no reason to worry and feel uncomfortable.

Problems with relationship. During adolescence, teenage relationship with other people changes. Friends who are at their age are important to them. They spent a lot of time with

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them. But teenagers suddenly change friendship as they develop new interests. When they go with new friends of the same interest it may result to break up with old friends. Teenagers must develop social skills to have a healthy relationship with his/her

family, friends, and other people.

Mood swing. Teenagers may switch mood suddenly. He/she may be happy at one moment then suddenly feels sad the next moment. This mood swing may be bothersome but teenagers must accept that emotional changes during adolescence are normal part of their growth and development. Moodiness among girls is due to changes in their estrogen level while among boys it is due to changes in their testosterone levels.

Problems related to sexual changes. Adolescent girls experience the onset of menstruation while adolescent boys experience “wet dreams”. These experiences may cause stress among teenagers. Correct information about sexual changes will prepare teenagers in accepting these changes positively. At this stage you should learn the following management skills to cope with the changes

during adolescence stage.

If you and another person disagree on something, listen to what he/she has to say and let

her/him know your point of view.

Show them that you can take care of yourself in a mature, wise and healthy way.

Let them know where you are and let them know if you have a change of plans are what

you can do to show your parent that you are acting responsibly and safely.

Handle situations/problem calmly in a mature way to show your parents and other adults

that you have the capability to look after yourself.

If you experience puberty at an early age, don’t feel embarrassed to talk about it. Talking to

your parents, responsible adult, doctor, or teacher is the best that you can do. Talking to

them will give you the idea that everything is developing normally.

Do you have problem related to your growth and development that is bothering you right

now? You do the cause and effect chart below. Follow the instructions.

Teens Problem

Copy and fill in the cause and effect chart below by supplying the needed information.

Think of one problem that you are experiencing now that is related to your growth and

development. Write this in the space for problem and the effects of the problem on you.

Give the details of the effects on your physical, social, and mental/emotional. Analyze what

you have written then make your own comment about it.

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How’s your chart? What did your analysis reveal about your problem? Is it really

bothersome? Is it affecting your health so much or not? If not, there’s nothing to worry about,

this is normal among teenagers your age.

READ more for Understanding

Reading 3. Steps in Decision Making

1. State the situation/problem. Examine the situation/problem and ask yourself: What decisions need to be made? Consider all the health information related to the problem and also who else are involved.

2. List all possible options/alternatives. What are the possible choices/alternatives you can make? Share your options and opinions with responsible adult, siblings or friends. Ask for their opinion and advice.

3. Weigh the possible outcomes. Weigh the possible consequences of each options/alternatives. Use the word HELP to guide your choice.

H (Healthful) What health risks, if any, will this option present?

E (Ethical) Does your option/choice reflect the beliefs of your family?

L (Legal) Does your option/choice violate any rule or law?

P (Parent approval) Will your parents or adult approve of this option/choice? Now, here is a problem of a teenager. Can you help her make a responsible decision? Follow the steps you have read? Follow the instructions below:

PROBLEM (Must be related to growth and development)

Effect Effect Effect

Details

of the Effect

Details

of the Effect

Details

of the Effect

GENERALIZATION

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Analyze the Situation

Read the situation and give your reactions. Use the decision-making model in answering the following guide questions: - What is the problem?

- What are the possible solutions to the problem?

- How do you weigh or assess each alternative/solution?

- What is the best solution?

Situation:

Your family is planning to attend the family reunion. You don’t feel excited to attend

that reunion. For you it is boring to listen to those old family stories. You are more

excited to go with your friends in a dance party and meet new friends. But you feel you

must go to the reunion.

READ more to Firm Up your Understanding

Coping Skills

There are several coping techniques you use in ordinary life situations. Some are very

useful, some are not. Some can help you in a short time only but some can help you a long

time. Read the following techniques of coping and check the column that relate to your coping

skills.

Social Support I usually do I want to practice

1. Talk to friend who can do something. ___ ___

2. Ask pieces of advice from responsible relatives/friends. ___ ___

3. Talk to someone to find out more about the problem. ___ ___

4. Look for empathy. ___ ___

5. Seek professional help. ___ ___

Positive Problem Solving Skill I do Skill I like to try

1. Make a plan of action to follow ___ ___

2. Take the problem as a challenge. ___ ___

3. Be inspired to be creative in solving the problem. ___ ___

4. Come up with different solutions to the problem. ___ ___

5. Try not to act hurriedly. ___ ___

6. Change something about myself. ___ ___

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Avoiding and Denying I do sometimes I do too much

1. Avoid being with people. ___ ___

2. Prepare for the worse that may happen. ___ ___

3. Keep others from knowing the problem. ___ ___

4. Hide my feelings to others. ___ ___

5. Wish the situation will go away or will be over. ___ ___

6. Try to forget the whole thing. ___ ___

7. Exercise or eat. ___ ___

8. Hope a miracle will happen. ___ ___

After the activity, which of these coping skills do you tend to use? Which do you plan to

use more? Are you someone who seek the help of others or are you a positive problem solver?

I hope you don’t avoid or deny your feelings too much. How do you find your coping skills?

I want you to remember that good coping is active problem solving that has:

an expectation that positive change or good result is possible

practicality about the kind of solutions that are feasible or can be attained

flexibility in approach to any problem that come

resourcefulness in finding support or additional information that can help solve

the problem

DEEPEN Your Understanding

In this phase you will encounter more readings and activities to widen your

understanding about the lesson. Read this to enhance your understanding

about coping management skills.

Reading 1. Self Talk

Self talk is a way to help you modify your thoughts. Here are some self talk statements that you can use as coping skill. These statements are useful when you are under stress/pressure or facing a challenge/problem.

A. When you are preparing for stress, you can use any of these statements.

What exactly do I have to do?

I have succeeded with this before.

It’s easier once I get started.

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I know I can do it.

Tomorrow, I will be through it.

I won’t entertain negative thoughts B. Facing the challenge/problem

I won’t rush. I will take it slowly step by step.

I can only do my best.

I can ask somebody for help.

I can do this.

If I get nervous I’ll take a deep breath.

It’s OK to get mistakes. No one is perfect.

If I feel tense, I’ll do my coping exercise. C. Coping with fear

Just breathe deeply.

Relax!

It will end.

I can always call ______.

I’ll survive this. D. Self Congratulations

I did it!

I did it well.

Next time, I won’t have to worry much.

I’ve got to tell about it to_____________. E. Affirmation

Every day in every way I grow stronger and stronger. I enter the day with a peaceful thought.

Now, try to do a self talk scenario and apply your coping skills. Follow the procedure below.

Self Talk Bubble Identify one problem that you feel bad about yourself. Write positive statement about the identified problems. For example, one problem is having

too many pimples. You can say to yourself: “I can overcome this problem. Prepare a self talk just like a bubble dialogue. You can use some of the statements you have learned in coping skills. You can make your own design of self talk scenario in your notebook/journal log.

Are you ready to read some more coping skills? You will find this relaxing when you are

under pressure or stress.

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Quick Relaxation Techniques

Clenched Your Fist

Clench your fists tightly for a count of ten. Release your clenched fists and let your

whole body go completely limp.

Deep Breathing

Take a full deep breath. Hold it or a count of ten counts. After the count of ten, exhale

and let it all out at once. Let your body completely loose and limp. You can repeat this several

times until you feel relax. Your body is more relax when you are exhaling.

Breathing Countdown

Have a normal breathing. Let go more and more as you release each breath, while

slowly counting 10 - 0, one number per breath. Focus on the “letting go feeling” as you let out

each breath. Let go even more to produce cumulative effect. Count backward (one per breath)

to create the descending effect. You will be more relaxed with each breath.

Do these exercises when you want to relax and practice the exercises for mastery.

Remember this Chinese proverb:

I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand. I practice, I master

Enjoy your teenage life. You will enjoy it when you take joy in your hope, your sense of

control and your coping skills.

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Now are you ready to show what you have learned about your growth and development

and the coping skills to handle problems? You can draw a concept map of your understanding.

TRANSFER Your Understanding

In this phase you have an opportunity to transfer your understanding in

another context by evaluating the daily coping management log you were

asked to prepare during the start of this module. Find out if you used the

principles/ideas/skills you have learned in facing daily challenges of your life.

My Daily Coping Management Log

Get your daily log of problems/challenges related to your growth and development that you

have experienced.

See how you managed and coped with the situations/problems.

Evaluate your coping management skills.

Write your conclusion about your application of coping skills you have learned.

Repeat the activity until you master the coping skills needed in a particular situation.

Answer the following questions in your notebook/journal log.

1. How much time you need to practice correct coping management skills?

2. What do you need to change to be able to approach the challenges/problems of

adolescent in a positive way?

Are you done with your coping management log? Now, here’s another exciting

experience for you. Do the “Recipe for Teen Challenges Management /Decision-Making Skills.”

Follow the procedure to guide you. Do it now. Good luck!

Imagine you are helping someone to cook.

You know that recipes need ingredients. Make recipes for managing teen

challenges/problems and making responsible decision.

You will submit your final output and notebook to your teacher for checking.

___ (25) Write five ways to approach positively challenges/problems of teenagers . Make

them sound like cooking ingredients. For example, you might write, “two

clenched fist to relax your body and mind.”

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___ (25) Write the responsible decision-making steps. Make them sound like cooking

ingredients. For example, you might write, “three cups of alternatives or options to

choose from to come up with correct decision.”

___(25) Make your presentation of “Recipe for Teen Challenges Management /Decision-

Making Skills” clear.

____(25) Use correct grammar and spelling.

____(100) Total points

Did you enjoy your teenage life journey? Are you adjusting to adolescent’s

challenges/problems?

REMEMBER:

With good coping and decision- making skills, you do not feel helpless or hopeless.

You will find enjoyment and support in all the changes and challenges that will occur as you

grow up to a responsible adult.

CONGRATULATIONS!