What is adolescence?

Adolescence is the period of transition between childhood and

adulthood. Children who are entering adolescence are going through
many changes (physical, intellectual, personality and social
developmental). Adolescence begins at puberty, which now occurs
earlier, on average, than in the past. The end of adolescence is tied to
social and emotional factors and can be somewhat ambiguous.
What are the physical changes of adolescence?

There are main physical changes that come with adolescence:

 The sexy growth spurt (an early sign of maturation);

 Primary sex characteristics (changes in the organs directly
related to reproduction);
 Secondary sex characteristics (bodily signs of sexual maturity
that do not directly involve reproductive organs)
What are the intellectual changes of adolescence?

Adolescent thinking is on a higher level than that of children.

Children are only able to think logically about the concrete, the here
and now. Adolescents move beyond these limits and can think in
terms of what might be true, rather than just what they see is true.
They are able to deal with abstractions, test hypotheses and see
infinite possibilities. Yet adolescents still often display egocentric
behaviors and attitudes.
What are the social and emotional changes of adolescence?

Adolescents are also developing socially and emotionally during this

time. The most important task of adolescence is the search for
identity. (This is often a lifelong voyage, launched in adolescence.)
Along with the search for identity comes the struggle for
independence.
How can parents support healthy adolescent development?

While adolescence can be a trying period for both youth and their
parents, the home does not have to become a battleground if both
parents and young people make special efforts to understand one
another. The following guidelines may help parents:

 Give your children your undivided attention when they want to

talk. Don't read, watch television or busy yourself with other
tasks.
 Listen calmly and concentrate on hearing and understanding
your children's point of view.
 Speak to your children as courteously and pleasantly as you
would to a stranger. Your tone of voice can set the tone of a
conversation.
 Understand your children's feelings, even if you don't always
approve of their behavior. Try not to make judgments. Keep the
door open on any subject. Be an "open/approachable" parent.
 Avoid humiliating your children and laughing at what may seem
to you to be naive or foolish questions and statements.
 Encourage your children to "test" new ideas in conversation by
not judging their ideas and opinions, but instead by listening and
then offering your own views as plainly and honestly as
possible. Love and mutual respect can coexist with differing
points of view.