The Process of Adolescent Development Essay - 1566 Words

Introduction Adolescence is a transition which has no fixed time limits. However, the changes that occur at this time are so significant that it is useful to talk about adolescence as a distinct period of human life cycle. This period ranges from biological changes to changes in behavior and social status, thus making it difficult to specify its limits exactly (Damon, 2008). Adolescence begins with puberty, i.e. a series of physiological changes that lead to full development of the sexual organs and the ability to breed and sex. The time interval that elapses begins at 11 to 12 years and extends to 18 to 20. However we cannot associate to a 13 with one 18 years. Let us talk about early adolescence between 11 to 14 years, which coincides†¦show more content†¦It is hypothesized that the overgrowth of synapses prepares young children to adapt to their environments. Once it is determined which synapses are used and which are unnecessary, the excess connections disappear, allowing the brain t o work more efficiently. A process known as myelination also begins early in a child’s development. In this process an insulating layer of fat covers nerve cells. The insulating layer increases the speed at which neurochemical information moves along the axon, facilitating more rapid and efficient information processing At the earliest ages, those nerves that involve sensory development become myelinated, followed by those neurons responsible for motor development. The final area of the brain in which myelination occurs is in the cortex with the neurons associated with complex thinking skills. This pattern of brain growth continues through late adolescence (Swanson, 2010). Attention span has also been linked to myelination. Therefore, children’s ability to concentrate and attend to novel stimuli increases with age and brain development. Because of these important development differences, the school-based practitioner needs to be aware that younger children may need shorter sessions and more â€Å"think time† to respond than an adolescent. As noted, children also experience relatively rapid growth in their bodies. By the time a girl reaches 12, she will likely have entered a period of rapid physical development, including the onsetShow MoreRelatedSocialisation, Personal Identity, Gender Identity And Gender Roles1313 Words   |  6 PagesRoles: Boundless.com defines ‘Socialisation’ as â€Å"a term used to refer to the lifelong process of inheriting and disseminating norms, customs and ideologies providing the individual with the skills and habits necessary for precipitating within one’s society, thus the means by which social and cultural continuity are attained† (Boundless.com, 2015). The process of socialisation involves an individual such as an adolescent to have interactions with various agents of socialisation. 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