The second area of emphasis revealed in the data is the characteristic of Core ADM
Adolescent Developmental Markers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Quest for Identity
High idealism
Self-centeredness; Self-consciousness; Sensitivity to criticism
Desires independence while also needing support and guidance joy and heartbreak
Developing a "moral compass"
Testing boundaries of authority
highly charged emotionalism and intensity
Peers become paramount; move in packs
the joy and heartbreak of evolving love and friendships
High visual and audio acuity
Developmental Themes of Adolescence
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
highly charged emotionalism and intensity
physical awkwardness
sense of isolation and/or being an "outcast"
exhilaration of new freedoms and independence
testing boundaries
the joy and heartbreak of evolving love and friendships
acute awareness of the social world and your place within it
pain and struggle and a developing resilience
A raw vulnerability in facing the world and its relationship in a very different way
Core Concepts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identity Development
Loss of Innocence
Testing boundaries and authority
Independence and responsibility
Greater emphasis on action and personal experience
Core Applications
1.
2.
3.
4.
identity formation exploration -- Career Corner, Stories
peer relationship formation – message board, profiles
friendly supportive atmosphere -- advice column
you’re not alone – teen experience articles, opinion polls
5.
freedom and independence exploration – social articles, user content
Core Concepts
6. Identity Development
7. Loss of Innocence
8. Testing boundaries and authority
9. Independence and responsibility
10. Greater emphasis on action and personal experience
11. Developing a "moral compass"
Adolescent Developmental Markers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Quest for Identity
High idealism
Self-centeredness; Self-consciousness; Sensitivity to criticism
Boundary testing
Exponential growth in body and mind
High visual and audio acuity
Creative energy
Body consciousness
Awareness of Sexuality
Introspection
Peers become paramount; move in packs
Desires independence while also needing support and guidance
Core Concepts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identity Development
Loss of Innocence
Testing boundaries and authority
Independence and responsibility
Greater emphasis on action and personal experience
Developing a "moral compass"
Developmental themes of the age and the literature
10.
11.
12.
highly charged emotionalism and intensity
physical awkwardness
sense of isolation and/or being an "outcast"
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
exhilaration of new freedoms and independence
testing boundaries
the joy and heartbreak of evolving love and friendships
acute awareness of the social world and your place within it
pain and struggle and a developing resilience
A raw vulnerability in facing the world and its relationship in a very different way
Emotional and Social Developmental Characteristics
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Quest for independence and identity formation
Seek a sense of individuality and adult acceptance – while simultaneously striving
to maintain peer approval
strong need to belong to a group -- Interests and clothing style influenced by peer
group
Feeling awkward one's self and one's body
Rebellious but dependent
Boundary testing
Often self-conscious and prone to lack self-esteem, sensitive to criticism
Socially vulnerable due to influences of media and negative interactions with
adults
Apt to believe that their experiences, feelings, and problems are unique
This period is intense and unpredictable; tendency to be moody, restless and
exhibit erratic and inconsistent behavior
Intellectual interests expand and gain in importance
Practical Implications
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
support young adolescents' quest for identity formation through opportunities for
exploration
create opportunities to form positive and healthy relationships with peers
promote an atmosphere of friendliness, concern, and group cohesiveness
provide educational experiences (role-playing, drama, reading) that permit teens
to understand that their problems are not unique
provide experiences that promote the exploration of personal freedom and
independence within a safe space
Create environments that are free from harsh criticism, humiliation, and sarcasm
Practical Applications
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
identity formation exploration -- Career Corner, Stories
peer relationship formation – message board, profiles
friendly supportive atmosphere -- advice column
you’re not alone – teen experience articles, opinion polls
freedom and independence exploration – social articles, user content
Developmental themes of the age and the literature
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
highly charged emotionalism and intensity
physical awkwardness
sense of isolation and/or being an "outcast"
exhilaration of new freedoms and independence
testing boundaries
the joy and heartbreak of evolving love and friendships
acute awareness of the social world and your place within it
pain and struggle and a developing resilience
A raw vulnerability in facing the world and its relationship in a very different way
Adolescent Developmental Markers
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It's a time of high idealism. There is a quest for the heroic (often reflected in the
literature, especially science fiction and fantasy).
The concept of a quest becomes a prominent theme. Adolescence is basically a
quest for identity defining who one is as an individual, as well as within the
context of society. It is necessary preparation for (in a sense, trying on) the adult
role that young person is growing into.
It is a time of strong ego and heightened self-consciousness and selfcenteredness; there is extreme sensitivity to criticism.
Exponential growth, not only in the body, but particularly in the brain (at a rate
almost unparalleled in a lifespan; other than infancy, it is primarily in adolescence
that a brain "prunes" its patterns of behaviors, goals, and activities)
Senses are also heightened; teens have high visual and audio acuity.
Increased physicality means explosive energy and a greater consciousness of the
body and, as they progress in age, sexuality.
Creative energy abounds.
Hormonal changes cause increased tension, clumsiness and irritability, dramatic
emotional leaps, and physiological changes that generate awareness of sexuality.
Hormone surges make them emotional tinderboxes. An immature cortex gives
them shaky judgment. Melatonin throws their sleep schedules out of whack
There is a move towards greater introspection as they age.
There is no more important stage of life to offer both opportunities for
independent responsibilities and acknowledgements for their efforts.
Social interactions take high priority. Peers become paramount.
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They move in packs and they make a lot of noise--that's NATURAL! Those who
can't socialize at all are the ones to notice and offer meaningful mentorship.
Do not ever call them children! That's the last thing they see themselves as.
Parents and positive adults have a much heavier influence on teens than might initially
appear; teens want more time, support, and direction from them.
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Creative energy abounds; Heightened visual and audio acuity.
Quest for identity
Heightened self-consciousness and self-centeredness
Peers are paramount
A time of introspection and boundary testing in the search for identity
Desires independence while also needing support and guidance
Practical Implications
As an urban middle school educator I can: (1) support young adolescents' quest for
identity formation through curricular experiences, instructional approaches, organization
structures, and through opportunities for exploration; (2) recognize the importance of
friendships and create opportunities for learners to form positive and healthy
relationships with peers; (3) promote an atmosphere of friendliness, concern, and group
cohesiveness; (4) provide educational experiences such as role-playing, drama, and
reading that permit learners to understand that their problems are not unique; (5) provide
experiences that promote the exploration of personal freedom and independence within a
safe space; (6) create environments that are free from harsh criticism, humiliation, and
sarcasm.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://aacap.org/
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND EARLY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS
Movement towards Independence
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Struggle with sense of identity
Feeling awkward or strange about one's self and one's body
Focus on self, alternating between high expectations and poor self-esteem
Interests and clothing style influenced by peer group
Moodiness
Improved ability to use speech to express one's self
Realization that parents are not perfect; identification of their faults
Less overt affection shown to parents, with occasional rudeness
Complaints that parents interfere with independence
Tendency to return to childish behavior, particularly when stressed
Future Interests and Cognitive Changes
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Mostly interested in present, with limited thoughts of the future
Intellectual interests expand and gain in importance
Greater ability to do work (physical, mental, emotional)
Sexuality
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Display shyness, blushing, and modesty
Girls develop physically sooner than boys
Increased interest in sex
Movement toward heterosexuality with fears of homosexuality
Concerns regarding physical and sexual attractiveness to others
Frequently changing relationships
Worries about being normal
Morals, Values, and Self-Direction
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Rule and limit testing
Capacity for abstract thought
Development of ideals and selection of role models
More consistent evidence of conscience
Experimentation with sex and drugs (cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana)
LATE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS AND BEYOND
Movement towards Independence
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Increased independent functioning
Firmer and more cohesive sense of identity
Examination of inner experiences
Ability to think ideas through
Conflict with parents begins to decrease
Increased ability for delayed gratification and compromise
Increased emotional stability
Increased concern for others
Increased self-reliance
Peer relationships remain important and take an appropriate place among other
interests
Future Interests and Cognitive Changes
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Work habits become more defined
Increased concern for the future
More importance is placed on one's role in life
Sexuality
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Feelings of love and passion
Development of more serious relationships
Firmer sense of sexual identity
Increased capacity for tender and sensual love
Morals, Values, and Self-Direction
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Greater capacity for setting goals
Interest in moral reasoning
Capacity to use insight
Increased emphasis on personal dignity and self-esteem
Social and cultural traditions regain some of their previous importance