Eastern Mindoro College

BONGABONG, ORIENTAL MINDORO

Tel. No. (043)-283-5479; email_1945 @ yahoo.com
COLLEGE DEPARTMENT

NAME: COURSE: BSEd

DATE: CHILD & ADOLESCENT LEARNERS & LP ROOM:
CONTACT NO. INSTRUCTOR: MR. J. MAGTIBAY
EMAIL ADD: RATING:

LESSON TITLE: MODULE 24- PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS

WEEK 23_ , 3 HOURS
I. FOCUS:
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
• Described the physical and sexual changes accompanying puberty.
• Identified factors that enhance/impede the socio-emotional development of
adolescents.
• Identified causes of possible habit disorders and ways of coping with them.
• Drawn implications of physical development concepts to teaching-learning and
parenting.

II. INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a stage of human development that coincides with puberty,
a biological development occurring at the average age of 11 for girls and 12 for boys. There are
factors which contribute to early puberty and delayed puberty which includes heredity, diet,
exercise, and socio-environmental influence. Early and late maturation in adolescence
accompany the cognitive and socio-emotional development of adolescents. In this situation, the
teacher must be an understanding teacher who can provide guidance and support to adolescent
learners.

III. STRATEGIES
A. ABSTRACTION AND GENERALIZATION
GEAR UP YOUR MIND!

Highlights: PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS

Defining Adolescence

Adolescence is a period of transition in terms of physical, cognitive and socio-emotional changes.

The period of adolescence begins with the biological changes of puberty. Ages for this period vary from
person to person. 1)Early adolescence characterized by puberty may come at the ages of 11 and 12, 2)
middle adolescence within the age of 14-16, and 3) late adolescence marks the transition into adulthood
at ages 17-20.

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Puberty Changes

Throughout life growth hormones condition gradual increase in body size and weight. Hormone
flooding during adolescence causes an acceleration known as growth spurts which includes a change
in body dimensions (leg length, shoulder width, trunk length). In girls, the growth spurts generally begin
at age 10 reaching its peak at age 11 and a half. For boys, growth spurts begin at age 12 reaching a
peak at age 14 and declining at the age of 15 and a half. Among girls, 98% of adult height is generally
reached at age 16 while boys at age 17. Growth in height is conditioned by stages in bone maturation.

Factors Affecting Development

Series of hormonal changes accompanying puberty is complex. Hormones are powerful and highly
specialized chemical substances that interact with bodily cells. Hormonal changes in the hypothalamus
and pituitary glands signal the entire process of sexual maturation. The process entails (1) secretion of
gonadotropic hormones, by the anterior pituitary at the base of the brain near the geometric center of
the head (2) gonads which are the ovaries for the female and the testis for male are then stimulated by
the gonadotropic hormones. The stimulation causes the secretion of testosterone in the male sex organ
and of estrogen in the female ovary.
• In the male, testosterone stimulates male characteristics comprised by:
Spermache, enlargement of the testis glands that produces the sperm in the scrotum, growth of
the penis, capacity for ejaculation of male sperm, voice change, facial hair development or beard
and pubic hair growth. It signals the first sign of puberty and sexual maturity in boys. The need to
discharge semen –mixed with a stick fluid produced by the prostate gland - occurs periodically.
Discharge of semen occurs during sleep caused by sexual dreams. It may also occur during
conscious manipulation of the male sex organ known as masturbation.
• In girls, estrogen secretion triggers the beginning of breast enlargement, appearance of
pubic hair, widening of the hips and menarche - first menstruation. Elevation of the female breast
is the first external sign of puberty in girls accompanied by growth of uterus and vagina. Generally,
girls achieve menarche beginning age 11 until age 13.

Sexual Identity
Adolescence is a time of sexual exploration and experimentation with sexual fantasies and realities
of incorporating sexuality with one’s identity. Adolescents are concerned about body image sexual
attractiveness how to do sex, and the future of their sexual lives.

How do adolescents develop a sexual identity?

An adolescent’s sexual identity involves sexual orientation, activities, interests, and styles of
behaviors. Sexual orientation is a person’s tendency to be attracted to people of the same sex
(homose4xual orientation), of the opposite sex (heterosexual orientation), or of both sexes
(bisexual orientation). In term of sexual identity, adolescence is the period when gayest, lesbian and
transgender begin to recognize and make sense of their feelings. Development analyst Froiden, proposed
a model for the development of homosexual identity: 1) sensitization marked by the child’s becoming
aware of same sex attraction, 2) identity confusion when the youth is overwhelmed regarding sexual
orientation, 3) identity assumption when adolescents come out of the family and assumes as gay, lesbians
or bisexual, and 4) commitment when the young adult adopts a sexual identity as a lifestyle. Coming to
terms with a positive LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) identity is difficult for variety of

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reasons including family, race, and religious cultures. Risk to the homosexual adolescent are real amid a
heteronormative environment and LGBT may suffer ostracism, hurtful jokes, and even violence.

Self-esteem
A major aspect of identity formation during the period of adolescence is self-esteem. Self-esteem
is one’s thoughts and feelings about one’s self-concept and identity. It also states that there is a grand
desire across all genders and ages to maintain and enhance self-esteem. Baseline self-esteem is stable
across adolescence, but barometric (unstable) self-esteem may fluctuate rapidly to cause severe distress
and anxiety. Girls enjoy self-esteem through supportive relationship with friends who can provide social
and moral support. Boys are more prone to assert independence in defining their relationship, deriving
self-esteem from their ability to successfully influence others. The lack of romantic competence – failure
to meet the affection of the opposite sex can be a major contributor to low esteem in adolescent boys.

Implications for Child Care, Education and Parenting

To meet the physical development of adolescence, parents need to be aware of manifestations of
behavioral patterns that require communication, guidance and support. In school, teachers need to be
aware of the possible drop in self-esteem among adolescent learners. The teacher’s support is crucial to
protect adolescent learners against severe distress and anxiety over their schoolwork and social
relationships.

Body Image and the Adolescent

Consciousness about body image is strong during the adolescent period. It is important that
adolescents feel confident about how they look, but physical features of the human body depend on
genetic heritage must be respected (facial looks, body size, color of the skin). Cleanliness and grooming,
proper wearing of clothes, erect body posture, eye contact while communicating, decency and decorum
(good form and confidence) is a must.

B. ANALYSIS/ REFLECTION

1. Write your significant experiences during adolescent years in high school. Did your physical
features affect your self-esteem?
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2. How were you able to overcome issues those related to your adolescent period such as self-
esteem, body image, and boy-girl relationship?
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3. Describe the physical and sexual changes accompanying puberty.

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4. What competencies do you need as a teacher for teens in this millennium? Explain.
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Prepared by:
MR. JAYMAR B. MAGTIBAY
Instructor