Republic of the Philippines

SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY

Main Campus, Sogod, Southern Leyte
website: www.slsuonline.edu.ph
email: slsumaincampus@gmail.com/
op@slsuonline.edu.ph telefax: (053) 577-8299

THE CHILD
AND
ADOLESCENT
LEARNER
AND
LEARNING
PRINCIPLES

MODULE 1

ELVIE DIPUTADO DURAN, Ed. D.

Associate Professor 5
 SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS
INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Module 1: The Child and Adolescent Learner

COURSE OVERVIE
W
Course No.

Course Code Educ 103/201

Descriptive Title Child and Adolescent Learner and Learning Principles

Credit Units 3 Units

School Year/Term 1st Semester, AY: 2020-2021

Mode of Delivery Online and Modular Learning

Name of Instructor/ Elvie D. Duran

Professor

Course Description This course focuses on learning theories on the biological, linguistic,
cognitive, social and emotional dimension of development and the factors
that affect the progress of development.
The coverage of the course is structured to cover the key dimension
of the development of children and adolescent: physical, linguistic,
cognitive, and social-emotional development. For each dimension, the core
contemporary research finding and theories are covered. Particular
emphasis is given to the factors that have been identified as having positive
or negative effects on the natural course of these development processes. In
addition, some focus is given on the exceptional cases when children or
adolescent vary from the natural course.
The coverage of these ideas is intended to provide the future teacher with a
broad yet fairly detailed understanding of the developmental processes
that student undergo, so that such an understanding may be used to guide
all dealings (i.e.., formal instructional, informal social ,etc.) with the
student.

Course Outcomes Knowledge (Think)

1. Reflect a deep understanding on the different areas of development
related to the Child and Adolescent Learner.
Values (Feel and Do)
2. Apply the theories to children and adolescents in their local (i.e.,
community, regional, or Philippine) context
SLSU Vision A high quality corporate University of Science, Technology and Innovation

SLSU Mission 1. Develop Science, Technology and Innovation leaders and professionals;
2. Produce high-impact technologies from research and innovations;
3. Contribute to sustainable development through responsive
community engagement programs;
4. Generate revenues to be self-sufficient and financially-viable.
 SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS
INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

MODULE GUIDE
In this module, you will learn to understand the difference between childhood and adolescence and
identify the four primary aspects of development that cover all areas of their lives. You will also be exposed to
the Presidential Decree – Article 3 that focuses on the Rights of the Child. Fundamental Principles in the
implementation of the Rights of the Child will also be given utmost consideration. As we go along with our
discussion, specific issues affecting the development of children and adolescent will also be discussed. You will
also be required to make a poster making advocacy as your output in this module.
This module is divided into four separate topics: Definition of Childhood and Adolescence, Rights of
Children and Young Persons, Specific Issues and The Condition of Filipino Children and Young Persons Today.

KEYWORD TO
Learner- A learner is one who is learning how to internalize, analyze, discuss and apply the knowledge and
skills learned at home, school, and in their community.

PRE–TEST

INTENDED LEARNING
1. Define Childhood and Adolescence
2. Exhibit appreciation through advocacy on the promotion of the rights of children and young
persons
Introduction
Understanding the nature of the child and adolescent learner is essential in developing their
psychological, physical, emotional social and spiritual aspects. Knowing their rights and how they express these
rights help educators, caregivers and the people they work with in providing proper programs suited to their
needs.

Discussion

LESSON 1
 SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS
INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Childhood and Adolescence Defined

Childhood - The stage from babyhood to adolescence.

Adolescence - The period of a person’s life from puberty to maturity.

- Etymological definition adolescere which means to grow up

The World Health Organization classified adolescent, young person and youth according to their age.
Classification Age bracket
Adolescent 10-19 years old
Young person 10-24 years old
Youth 15-24 years old.

As defined by the UNICEF, Childhood is the time for children to be in school and at play, to grow strong
and confident with the love and encouragement of their family and an extended community of caring adults. It
is a precious time in which children should live free from fear, safe from violence and protected from abuse and
exploitation. As such, childhood means the state and condition of a child’s life, to the quality of those years.

Adolescence is the period of transition which occur during puberty to adulthood. It begins with the
biological changes of poverty. Adolescence stage is divided into two groups; First, is early adolescence (10-14),
this is the stage of the person’s life wherein physical changes are evident, and new interest in sexuality is
observable. Second, is middle adolescence (15-17), this is a period wherein the individual crave for
independence (autonomy) and show interest in self-discovery which leads to identity formation.

It is important to note that adolescence age signifies the process of development leading to adulthood.
Educators and caregivers should have a proper understanding of the nature and characteristics of children and
adolescent for them to prepare the individual to the next stage of development.
The young learner passes through series of major and significant changes concerning physical,
emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual and moral development. These changes need to be given attention by
the caregivers, educators and people who have a connection with the learners for changes are diverse and
intense.
Today, adolescents are more sociable; easy go lucky and adventurous compared before. The behavior
shown at this time of their lives is a great challenge to educators for this is the period that values are formed
and in making decisions that may affect the rest of their lives. The educational programs must be responsive to
the academic and developmental needs of these young adolescent learners.

LESSON 2: Rights of Children and Young

Person
There are four primary aspects which cover all areas of the life of children and adolescent namely:
survival, development, protection and participation. Table 1 describes every aspect of the child’s rights.
 SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS
INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Table 1

Rights Description

Survival rights The right to life and to have the most basic needs met. (e.g., standard of
living, shelter, nutrition, medical treatment).

Development rights The right to develop the total aspects of the individual and to reach its
fullest potential (psychological, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual)
through education, play, and leisure, cultural activities, access to
information, freedom of expression, and religion. 
Participation rights The rights that allow children and adolescents to participate actively in
their communities (e.g., the freedom to express opinions; to take part in
matters concerning their lives; to join associations).

Protection rights The rights that are essential for children and young person’s protection
from all kinds of mistreating, abandonment and abuse (e.g. sexual and drug
abuse, child labor, cruelty and protection against armed conflict).

Presidential Decree 603: Article 3– Rights of

As stated in Article 3 of PD 603, all children shall be entitled to the rights herein set forth without
distinction to legitimacy or illegitimacy, sex, social status, religion, political antecedents and other
factors.
3. Every child is endowed with the dignity and worth of a human being from the moment of his
conception, as generally accepted in medical parlance, and has therefore, the right to be born
well.
4. Every child has the right to a wholesome family life that will provide him with love, care and
understanding, guidance and counseling, and moral and material security. The dependent or
abandoned child shall be provided with the nearest substitute for a home.
5. Every child has the right to a well-rounded development of his personality to the end that he
may become a happy, useful and active member for a home.

The gifted child shall be given opportunity and encouragement to develop his special talents.

The emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted child shall be treated with sympathy and
understanding, and shall be entitled to treatment and competent care.

The physically or mentally handicapped child shall be given treatment, education and care
required by the particular condition.
6. Every child has the right to a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, proper medical
attention, and all the basic physical requirements of a healthy and vigorous life.
7. Every child has the right to be brought up to an atmosphere of morality and rectitude for the
enrichment and the strengthening of his character.
8. Every child has the right to an education commensurate with his abilities and to the
development of his skills for the improvement of his capacity for service to himself and to his
fellowmen.
9. Every child has the right to full opportunities for safe and wholesome recreation and activities,
individual as well as social, for the wholesome use of his leisure hours.
10. Every child has the right to protection against exploitation, improper influences, hazards, and
other conditions or circumstances prejudicial to his physical, mental, emotional, social and
moral development.
11. Every child has the right to live in a community and a society that can offer him an environment
free from pernicious influences and conducive to the promotion of his health and the cultivation
of his desirable traits and attributes.
 SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS
INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
12. Every child has the right to the care, assistance and protection of the state, particularly when
his parents or guardians fail or are unable to provide him with his fundamental needs for
growth, development, and improvement.
13. Every child has the right to an efficient and honest government that will deepen his faith in
democracy and inspire him with the morality of the constituted authorities both in their public
and private lives.
14. Every child has the right to grow up as a free individual, in an atmosphere of peace,
understanding, tolerance, and universal brotherhood, and with the determination to contribute
his share in the building of a better world.

In the implementation of the rights of children and adolescent, the three fundamental principles are
considered.
1. Best interests - In taking actions concerning children the best interest of the child must be
given utmost consideration regardless of what institution or agency (private or public) that take
good care of the child’s welfare.
2. Non-discrimination – This idea provides an assurance that every child and young person
receive equal and just treatment irrespective of their family, economic status, race, gender,
religion, nationality, and others.
3. Participation – Children have the freedom to express their ideas on matters affecting them. It
will be assessed according to their age and maturity level.

Lesson 3: Specific Issues

Specific Issues are issues affecting the development of children and adolescent that need to be given
attention for it has great effect on the development of the learner (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and
social)

The following are particular issues which affect the development of children and adolescent.

Issues Definition
Child labor  Child labor as defined by the International Labor Organization (ILO) is the
kind of work that affects the mental, physical, social and moral aspects of
children and interferes with their schooling.
 It is any form of work that prohibits children and adolescent the
opportunity to attend school and leave school at an early.
 There are other kinds of child labor which are considered life-threatening
like allowing children to stay on the street begging for their food at a very
young age and exposing children to an environment prone to illnesses and
criminal acts like stealing, snatching, and selling illegal drugs.

 Sexual exploitation refers to a form of abuse in exchange for sex or sensual

Sexual Exploitation
actions for money, food and other basic maintenance in life.
 This refers to children and adolescent who are forced to join an armed
Military recruitment
group at an early age.
Juvenile justice.  This refers to persons who are minors (below 18 years old) not old enough
to be held responsible for criminal acts.

The above mentioned issues are life threatening to the children and adolescents. They have the right to
be given protection in a situation when their life is threatened. For example, when there is armed conflict
they should be transferred to a safe place just like what happened to the people in Marawi City, when the
terrorists attacked their place. Another example, Child labor, there are other kinds of child labor which are
considered life-threatening like allowing children to stay on the street begging for their food at a very
 SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS
INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
young age and exposing children to an environment prone to illnesses and criminal acts like stealing,
snatching, and selling illegal drugs.
Moreover, children and adolescents who are exposed to Juvenile Delinquency are also given attention
by the government through the different agencies tasked to control and protect these juvenile delinquents.
The primary objective of Juvenile justice is to help children and adolescents to have a better life ahead. The
emphasis of this program is rehabilitation and punishment.
Children and adolescents who commit crimes get protection for they are those who are prone to suffer
torture and other inhuman acts and denied the due process of law. The administration of juvenile justice is
carried out based on the best interests of the child.

Lesson 4: The Condition of Filipino Children and

According to reports (newspapers and television) from drug enforcement agencies, there is an alarming
increase of drug addicts in the Philippines today. Children and adolescents are at risk for drug users are
becoming younger and younger, and they are those whose parents are having violent behavior and actions
that are immoral that threatens the life and future of their children. These acts or deeds are the sources of
heinous crimes like father raping his daughter, child molestation, murder and other wrong doings which are
very rampant in the society today. Other alarming issues are child labor and sexual exploitation.

The most critical period of development is the pre-school stage which is from 0 to 6 years of age. This
statement jived with the result conducted by the National Statistics Office ten years ago. The results of the
survey showed that this age group encompassed 10% of the total population in the Philippines in 1990. It
further revealed that Children 13-18 years old are found to be the most vulnerable victims of sexual abuse,
followed by children, 7-12 years old. The July 1995 survey of the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported
that there were 3.7M working children exposed to different work areas fishing, agriculture, forestry and a
smaller percentage of services, sales, and industries. The findings of the survey further reveals that nearly
1.3M girl children work, making up 1/3 of the child labor force. As of December 1996, there was a total of
1,156 HIV positives in which, 295 are identified as full-blown Aids, and around 154 have died.

Every day many children are caught doing an illegal act. As usual, they are being turned over to the
DSWD and after counseling they can go home. As we can see on the television and read in the newspaper,
there are children in the prison cell who are not given the privilege to avail of the free legal assistance. The
government is installing an office which is known as the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) for the purpose of
assisting those poor children who are languishing in jail who could not afford to hire lawyers but still many
of them are still left an attended. The government is doing something for these people but still it is not
enough. It is a fact that children and adolescent who are caught doing an illegal act are not detained for they
are still minors.

Young children of today are exposed not only doing criminal acts but as well as having an intimate
relationship with the opposite sex at an early age that resulted in early pregnancy. Results of the survey
show that teenage pregnancy has increased to 65% from 2000 to 2010. Yeung (2014) also emphasized the
outcome of the study conducted by the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality (YAFS) that around 14 per cent of
girls aged 15 to 19 are already mothers or pregnant.

The condition of Filipino children and youth of today is very alarming that if not given attention will
lead to high criminal behavior rates.
SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS
INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

ASSESSMENT
ESSA

REFERENCES
Presidential Decree 603. Available @www official gazette.gov.ph>19741210-PD0603

Childhood Under Threat. The State of the Worlds Children 2005.

Available@unicef.org/sowco5/english/childhooddefined.html

Gapuz,E. (2014).Situation of Filipino Children in the Philippines.

www.slideshare.net/.../situation-of-filipino-children-in-philippines.
(No Author) 2013. The Situation of Filipino Children and Young People – Term.
www.studymode.com › Home › Health & Medicine › Condition
What is Child Labor? - The Child Labor Education
Project.https://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/laborctr/child_labor/.../what_is_c
Acero, Victotorino O., et. al. 2004. “Human Growth Development and Learning.” Quezon City:Rex
Printing Company, Inc.
Ormrod, Jeanne E. 2008. “Educational Psychology: Developing Learners.” Pearson: Merill
Prentice Hall.
Siruno, R. & Siruno, E. 2002. “Child Growth and Development.” Phillipines: Rex Bookstore.
Anonat, R. 2009. “Child and Adolescent Development. Mandaluyong City: Books ATBP.
Publishing Corporation.
Legal justice – Legal Information Institute, Cornell University. Available
@http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/juvenile_justice