Adolescent Characteristics

Brain development  An important characteristic of early adolescents is the nature of brain development.

• The brain is most active when we are young. It never has more synapses that when we are five years old.
• The brain prunes the synapses that have not been used, especially in adolescence.
• “Use it or lose it” – means that the students need to engage in high order in-depth thinking.
• Between 9 and 14 years without stimulus half of all synapses can be lost.
• The frontal lobe which has the responsibility for recognizing the consequences of actions is “closed for construction” during adolescence.

• Experience irregular growth spurts in physical development
• Experience fluctuations in basal metabolism causing restlessness and listlessness
• Have ravenous appetites
• Mature of varying rates of speed
• Highly disturbed by body changes

• Are highly curious
• Prefer active over passive learning experiences
• Relate to real-life problems and situations
• Are egocentric
• Experience metacognition

• Are often erratic and inconsistent in behaviour
• Are highly sensitive to criticism
• Are moody, restless, and self-conscious
• Are optimistic and hopeful
• Are searching for identity and acceptance from peers

• Are idealistic
• Have strong sense of fairness
• Are reflective and introspective in thoughts and feelings
• Confront moral and ethnical questions head on
• Ask large, ambiguous questions about the meaning of life

• Are rebellious towards parents and authority figures
• Are confused and frightened by new school/social settings
• Are fiercely loyal to peer group values
• Are often aggressive and argumentative
• Need frequent affirmation of love from adults