Adolescence year 7 and 8

BRAESIDEBRAESIDE HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL

THE YEAR 7 and 8 PARENTS THE YEAR 7 and 8 PARENTS TALKTALK

BRAESIDEBRAESIDE HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL

THE ADOLESCENTTHE ADOLESCENT

Year 7 and 8 Parents TalkTuesday, 25th January 2011 Braeside High School

WHO IS AN ADOLESCENT?WHO IS AN ADOLESCENT?

A question that has been asked many a time…not just now A question that has been asked many a time…not just now but even many centuries ago.but even many centuries ago.


So who is an adolescent?So who is an adolescent?

An adolescent is a young man or woman caught between two worlds…

the world of Childhood

and the

world of Adulthood.


44thth Century CenturyAristotle and Plato believed that adolescents:

Have good reasoning ability Have the ability to make choices Are very determined Are egocentric


Adolescence is a period ofAdolescence is a period of

TransitionTransition

Preparation to move into Preparation to move into AdulthoodAdulthood


Transition involvesTransition involves

Childhood to AdolescenceChildhood to Adolescence Adolescence into AdulthoodAdolescence into Adulthood


Adolescence comes withAdolescence comes with

Physical DevelopmentPhysical Development Cognitive / Intellectual Development Cognitive / Intellectual Development Social DevelopmentSocial Development Emotional DevelopmentEmotional Development


AdolescenceAdolescenceMain StagesMain Stages

Early Adolescence:Early Adolescence: 11 – 15 years11 – 15 years

Middle Adolescence:Middle Adolescence: 15 – 18 years15 – 18 years

Late Adolescence:Late Adolescence: 18 – 22 years18 – 22 years

and Aboveand Above


EARLY ADOLESCENCEEARLY ADOLESCENCEThis is also known as the PRETEEN YEARS or This is also known as the PRETEEN YEARS or

PUBERTY. It is characterised byPUBERTY. It is characterised by

1.1. Physical Body ChangesPhysical Body Changes

2.2. Mood SwingsMood Swings

3.3. Personality ChangesPersonality Changes

4.4. Self conscious / Body ImageSelf conscious / Body Image

5.5. Making of Quick decisionsMaking of Quick decisions

At this age, they are an At this age, they are an emotional roller coasteremotional roller coaster


MIDDLE ADOLESCENCEMIDDLE ADOLESCENCEThese are the teen years (teenagers) Very self conscious of their bodiesVery self conscious of their bodies Search for unique identitySearch for unique identity

Question Authority Question Authority

Develop Cognitive Skills Develop Cognitive Skills

Have a strong sense to belongHave a strong sense to belong

Fully developed hence their interest in sexual Fully developed hence their interest in sexual activity increasesactivity increases


LATE ADOLESCENCELATE ADOLESCENCEThis is known as the EMERGING ADULTHOODEMERGING ADULTHOOD

POST ADOLESCENCEPOST ADOLESCENCE

PRE- ADULTHOODPRE- ADULTHOOD


LATE ADOLESCENCELATE ADOLESCENCE Seek for independence especially in Seek for independence especially in

social rolessocial roles See their lives open to many different See their lives open to many different

directionsdirections Make more solid relationshipsMake more solid relationships Form romantic relationships Form romantic relationships Develop a more solid image of Develop a more solid image of

themselves – self confidencethemselves – self confidence


Challenges you may be facingChallenges you may be facingPhysical ChangesPhysical Changes Confuse them and Worry themConfuse them and Worry them Early bloomers brag about their new Early bloomers brag about their new

developments to othersdevelopments to others

Personal AppearancePersonal Appearance Becomes very importantBecomes very important Will spend a lot of time in front of mirrorWill spend a lot of time in front of mirror

……Never Tease but Reassure …Never Tease but Reassure ………Engage them in sporting activities …Engage them in sporting activities ………Be more conscious of what they eat…Be more conscious of what they eat…


What is available here in schoolWhat is available here in school PSHEPSHE

HygieneHygiene GroomingGrooming Public ImagePublic Image

Right AttireRight Attire AccessorizingAccessorizing DeportmentDeportment

CLUBSCLUBS FABFAB Dance ClubDance Club

SPORTSSPORTS SwimmingSwimming HockeyHockey RoundersRounders FootballFootball Etc…Etc…


Emotions / FeelingsEmotions / Feelings

Emotional Turmoil – High / Low / SulkingEmotional Turmoil – High / Low / Sulking Banging of DoorsBanging of Doors Blowing up on others especially parentsBlowing up on others especially parents

… … Understand that Hormonal changes interfere Understand that Hormonal changes interfere with their moods – reaction is normal…with their moods – reaction is normal…

……try and find out what experiences they may try and find out what experiences they may have undergone or undergoing (frustrations) – have undergone or undergoing (frustrations) – relationships, academics…relationships, academics…

……let them know that you are not happy with let them know that you are not happy with certain behavior and they should try and put certain behavior and they should try and put themselves in your shoes….themselves in your shoes….

Challenges continued….Challenges continued….


Self EsteemSelf Esteem Not having a good opinion of themselvesNot having a good opinion of themselves Very sensitive to looks, comments or Very sensitive to looks, comments or

silence of otherssilence of others Imaginary audience – belief that they Imaginary audience – belief that they

are the focus of othersare the focus of others Leads to low esteemLeads to low esteem



Self EsteemSelf Esteem... Reassure them…... Reassure them………Listen…Listen…… … try and identify the cause esteem…try and identify the cause esteem………know your child’s area of competence…know your child’s area of competence………foster achievement…foster achievement………provide emotional support…provide emotional support………teach them to face problems by giving teach them to face problems by giving

them necessary coping skills…them necessary coping skills…



What is available here in schoolWhat is available here in school Recognise and Reward AchievementsRecognise and Reward Achievements Extracurrilar Activities provide many opportunities for Extracurrilar Activities provide many opportunities for

one to discover and nurture their talentsone to discover and nurture their talents Programmes that develop necessary skills Programmes that develop necessary skills

MUNMUN PAPA ChessChess Planet FitnessPlanet Fitness MediaMedia

Life skills such as time management, personal Life skills such as time management, personal organisational, goal setting developed to help one organisational, goal setting developed to help one aim for achievements and stay within courseaim for achievements and stay within course

Personal Achievement FormsPersonal Achievement Forms


Conformity to the groupConformity to the group Worries on how they fit in with friendsWorries on how they fit in with friends Need to be like the others leads to Need to be like the others leads to

demands of independencedemands of independence Opinions of peers more importantOpinions of peers more important Peer pressure sets inPeer pressure sets in Curious - experimentCurious - experiment Friends changeFriends change



Questioning AuthorityQuestioning Authority Due to the Intellectual Development Due to the Intellectual Development They questionThey question Need to become independentNeed to become independent Distance themselvesDistance themselves Suspicious of parentsSuspicious of parents……Put them in charge…Put them in charge………give them responsibilities…give them responsibilities………sometimes, involve them in making of decisions sometimes, involve them in making of decisions

and ground rules… and ground rules… ……let them confide in other adults if they are not let them confide in other adults if they are not

able to do so with you …able to do so with you …



What is available here in schoolWhat is available here in school Responsibilities – providing leadership Responsibilities – providing leadership

in clubs, sports teamsin clubs, sports teams Student RepresentationStudent Representation

Student CouncilStudent Council ParliamentsParliaments

Setting of class, trip and activity ground Setting of class, trip and activity ground rulesrules


Challenges continued….Challenges continued….Energy, Creativity and JoyEnergy, Creativity and Joy Very CreativeVery Creative Lots of EnergyLots of Energy Happy when in the company of those they Happy when in the company of those they

think understand themthink understand them

……Find out their interests…Find out their interests………Keep them occupied…Keep them occupied………Ensure they have responsibilities…Ensure they have responsibilities………Pose a problem / project / menu / Pose a problem / project / menu /

organising an event….organising an event….


What is available here in schoolWhat is available here in school Organise Class Parties – form committees, come up Organise Class Parties – form committees, come up

with ideaswith ideas Projects – school uniform designsProjects – school uniform designs Planning – bake sale, car boot sale, talent show, Planning – bake sale, car boot sale, talent show,

fashion shows etc…fashion shows etc… Presentations on various issuesPresentations on various issues ClubsClubs

Creative and Performing ArtsCreative and Performing Arts Art FantasiaArt Fantasia CuisineCuisine Motor CrossMotor Cross GolfGolf

Focus for the Year – Leadership, Entrepreneurship Focus for the Year – Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovationand Innovation



IdealismIdealism Have fixed ideals e.g. saving the lions, saving the Have fixed ideals e.g. saving the lions, saving the

environment etc..environment etc.. Very important to themVery important to them Listen to their argumentsListen to their arguments Support themSupport them Do not dismiss them Do not dismiss them ……Involve them in Community service work…Involve them in Community service work………Urge them to be conversant with current global Urge them to be conversant with current global

issues…issues…


What is available here in schoolWhat is available here in school Each Year Group has a Community Each Year Group has a Community

Service ProjectService Project PA – clock at least 50 hrsPA – clock at least 50 hrs Eco-School ProgrammeEco-School Programme ClubsClubs

Interact ClubInteract Club Change MakersChange Makers


Challenges continued….Challenges continued….Way of Thinking changesWay of Thinking changes Egocentric – Egocentric – too preoccupied with self; too preoccupied with self; Imaginery Audience – Imaginery Audience – attention getting behavior attention getting behavior

InvincibleInvincible - - bad things only happen to othersbad things only happen to others UniqueUnique

Personal Fable Personal Fable No one else understands themNo one else understands them


What can we doWhat can we do Sometimes, recognise their effortSometimes, recognise their effort Do not down play some of their worries, Do not down play some of their worries,

emphathiseemphathise Circle timeCircle time Involve them in Role PlayInvolve them in Role Play

Reflect on othersReflect on others FeelingsFeelings PerspectivesPerspectives ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities


Challenges continued….Challenges continued….SexualitySexuality Attraction to opposite sexAttraction to opposite sex Developing a sexual identityDeveloping a sexual identity Sexual ExplorationSexual Exploration Media and SexMedia and Sex


What can we doWhat can we do Ensure sexual literacyEnsure sexual literacy

Reproductive CyclesReproductive Cycles ProblemsProblems

Pregancy / Teenage ParenthoodPregancy / Teenage Parenthood AbortionAbortion STDs / HIV and AIDSSTDs / HIV and AIDS

AbstinenceAbstinence

Information from who?Information from who? ParentsParents Trusted relatives / friendsTrusted relatives / friends Teachers / SchoolTeachers / School ChurchChurch


WHAT ADOLESCENTS EXPECTWHAT ADOLESCENTS EXPECT

Parents to be interested in them – pay Parents to be interested in them – pay attentionattention

Parents to listenParents to listen

Parents to offer them love and acceptanceParents to offer them love and acceptance

Parents to trust themParents to trust them

Parents to provide certain amount of Parents to provide certain amount of autonomyautonomy


What we can doWhat we can do Make home a safe baseMake home a safe base

A safe retreat from the worldA safe retreat from the world A place where they are respected and taken A place where they are respected and taken

seriouslyseriously Parents must support each otherParents must support each other

Read from the same scriptRead from the same script Do not be seen to ally yourself with your son Do not be seen to ally yourself with your son

or daughteror daughter Show respect for each other in front of your Show respect for each other in front of your

childrenchildren


What we can doWhat we can do RulesRules

Set Ground RulesSet Ground Rules Involve adolescents where possibleInvolve adolescents where possible Should be Clear and ConsistentShould be Clear and Consistent ReasonableReasonable Consequences should be clear and Consequences should be clear and

agreed upon in advanceagreed upon in advance Ensure consequences are effectedEnsure consequences are effected Less Restrictive as children matureLess Restrictive as children mature Not all areas should have rules, some Not all areas should have rules, some

should be negotiableshould be negotiable


What we can doWhat we can do Manage Disagreements - manage your Manage Disagreements - manage your

battle – know when to be quietbattle – know when to be quiet

Set the example – most teenagers love their Set the example – most teenagers love their parents and when asked they look up to parents and when asked they look up to them as their heroes and role models, Live them as their heroes and role models, Live by what we preachby what we preach

Develop the right morals from an early ageDevelop the right morals from an early age


What we can doWhat we can do ReligionReligion

Indoctrinations of the Church have shaped Indoctrinations of the Church have shaped the way we think and behavethe way we think and behave

Puts emphasis on care and concern for othersPuts emphasis on care and concern for others Puts emphasis on respect for self and othersPuts emphasis on respect for self and others Creates boundaries which we must operate Creates boundaries which we must operate

within giving clear consequenceswithin giving clear consequences Give expectationsGive expectations


What we can doWhat we can do Be Good and Easy listenersBe Good and Easy listeners

Do not be judgmentalDo not be judgmental Do not criticise all the timeDo not criticise all the time Do not give advice routinelyDo not give advice routinely ListenListen

Create time to be alone as Create time to be alone as A FamilyA Family Mommy - Daughter / Mommy - Son timeMommy - Daughter / Mommy - Son time Father – Daughter / Father - Son timeFather – Daughter / Father - Son time


What is available here in schoolWhat is available here in school Expectations clearly outlinedExpectations clearly outlined PSHE lessons PSHE lessons TalksTalks Focus – virtues / valuesFocus – virtues / values


ParentsParentsNeed to be Need to be ManagersManagers Look for and give children opportunitiesLook for and give children opportunities Monitor their social relationshipsMonitor their social relationships

Supervise an adolescenct social settings, activitiesSupervise an adolescenct social settings, activities Know who their friends areKnow who their friends are

Be the one to find and give information or Be the one to find and give information or control who does thatcontrol who does that

Put structures that will help them in making Put structures that will help them in making decisions and making choicesdecisions and making choices

Provide guidance, correct wrong beliefs etc…Provide guidance, correct wrong beliefs etc… Be a present parent who can give direction, Be a present parent who can give direction,

place limits and controls but allow for some place limits and controls but allow for some level of independence; be indulgent sometimes.level of independence; be indulgent sometimes.

ParentingParenting

Was never for the faint heartedWas never for the faint hearted

…….Sorry, No manual…..Sorry, No manual….

Adolescence year 7 and 8

Education

braeside high

challenges

adulthood

adolescence

parents

time

tuesday

independence