UNIT I

ADOLESCENCE
Objectives:
This lesson aims to lead the students to:

 Understand the many changes that are

happening to them during the stage of
adolescence.

 Value themselves as unique human beings

who are undergoing a process of maturity.

 Practice patience, discipline, and

understanding
 Lesson 1
CHANGES ADOLESCENTS
EXPERIENCE

“What really matters in a pencil is not its

wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So
always pay attention to what is happening inside
you.”
– Paulo Coelho
 Adolescence
The word adolescent came from the Latin word adolescentem
which means “growing, near maturity” or “youthful”. So
adolescence is really a process to maturity.!
Can be a confusing, exciting, and challenging stage in one’s
life.
Physical changes begin to develop.
Some freedom and privileges are
granted so that adolescents can pursue
their varied interests.
 However, along the way to adulthood, these adolescents
will have to make a lot of difficult and life-changing
decisions.
Change is inevitable and it will be very helpful if a person
will go through the period of adolescence with positive
self-worth, faith, and courage.

Question To Ponder:
 How does having self-worth help you
through adolescence?
 Read the story of the founder and conductor
of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra
Professor Benjamin Zander.
THE GREAT TEACHER INSPIRES
Professor Benjamin Zander teaches Creative Musicianship to music
students. A the beginning of the school year, he told his students, “I already know
what grade all of you will be receiving at the end of the year! All of you will
receive a grade of A or 100%!”
The class was amazed by the news.
The professor then continued: “However,
there is one condition. You will submit to me a
comprehensive letter tomorrow. Imagine that
you have successfully finished this course.
You will write in that letter why you were given
a very high grade; how many hours of practice
you put in; what your goals were and how you
trained them; what mistakes you made and how
you corrected them; what advice you took and
how you applied it; and what major lessons you have
discovered along the way.”
THE GREAT TEACHER INSPIRES
All of the students of Professor Zander did what was asked of them. Since
every student believed that they could accomplish great things and have
committed to a plan of action to achieve them, all students under Professor
Zander’s class received a grade of A at the end of the year.
Physical Changes during Adolescence
 Grown quickly
 Girls become more curvy, narrower at the waist, and
broader at the hips and shoulders.
 Boys become broader at the shoulders and more muscular.
Also, the voices of young
men deepen and start to grow facial
and bodily hair.
However, physical growth spurt has nothing
to do with the maturity of the person.
Many adolescents who look physically
mature still often think and act like a child.
 To achieve a full potential height and strength, eating a
nutritious and balanced diet will help. Good nutrition is
very critical during these times.
In adolescence, you will begin to look the way you are
going to look as an adult. Some changes are permanent, as
dictated by the genes of your parents; while some
are temporary.
Pimples or acne can be bothersome
and embarrassing but this is just
temporary and all part of growing up.
 You cannot do much about your physical appearance.
However, you can do something about how you think and
approach life.

It’s okay to feel awkward during the period of adolescence.

All the changes happening at this

stage may be overwhelming to a young person, but
remember that everyone
goes through it.
INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL
CHANGES

INTELLECTUAL CHANGES
Another change that you might have noticed is the way
you think.
You develop the ability to remember more
things and begin to practice critical
and abstract thinking. This means that
you can now understand the world
around you.
 Social Changes

A significant part of an adolescent’s life is

having varied and interesting social groups.
It is understandable that most people your
age want to be liked and accepted by other
adolescents.
This need for social acceptance can
work for you or against you.
You want to be popular and accepted
and thus, give your best in whatever
you do so that people will like you.

On the other hand, you might be

tempted to do things that are
wrong just so you could fit in
with a certain crowd of people.
 Emotional Changes
Sometimes…
You are moody, irritable, and angry in one minute and then
feeling pleasant and excited a short time later.
You feel so happy you’re floating on air; at the other times
you’re so miserable you
want to hide from the world.
 Keep in mind that these mood swings
happen to most adolescents.
 Vital thing to consider while you are an
Adolescent

You learn to manage your emotions and not let them make
you do things that you will regret later

Remember, these are trying times but

an exciting time, too, to grow, learn,
and prepare for your future.
VALUING A VIRTUE

“SELF –WORTH”
 “SELF-WORTH”
Questions to Ponder:
 How do you see yourself?
 Do you think you are “worth a lot”?

“Self-worth”
- primarily consists of respect for
or favorable opinion for oneself.
- It is the sense of one’s own
value or worth as person
 Words to Ponder
All human beings have dignity and are called to have a
positive self–worth.

Our self – worth then should not be based on wealth or

fame but instead be
anchored on the belief that we are all
capable of doing our best with our
talents, that we can contribute to the
society, and that we deserve to live a
purposeful life.
 We live in a culture where wealth and social importance
commonly dictate the value of a person. However, self -
worth goes beyond such limiting notions.

Note: Value yourself regardless of your financial status or

popularity.

Remember: You are not just “somebody”.

You are unique, valuable, and wonderful
human being who matters!
UPLIFTING REALIZATIONS
All of us have dignity and must always believe in our self
– worth. This means that regardless of age, race, financial
status, educational attainment, and religious affiliation, we
are called to respect and value our fellowmen.

Look closely at the poem Desiderata

by Max Ehrmann and find some
inspiration:
Points to Ponder
1. What do you think is the message of the poem?
2. How did you feel after reading the poem?
Pick a stanza from Desiderata and share your
feelings and thoughts about it.

Stanza from Desiderata

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My Thoughts and Reflection...

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End of Presentation