Monday, April 4, 2016

Week 5 McGuire lifespan&development

In chapter 8 we learn about adolescence and the Social, physical, biological, and psychological transitions that  signal the entry into it (Fiore 186). Many adolescents suffer from identity crisis and sexuality confusion and it's our job as adults to be sympathetic to them versus getting angry or not understanding. We went through all this at one time and we believed no one understood us just like they do. I've found that telling teens that we know what they're going through doesn't work though and can cause much yelling and slamming of doors! 
Physically teens are just around puberty and have all of the hormones cruising through them which can be confusing and emotional at the same time. I remember being an adolescent girl trying to cope with understanding why I like a certain boy and why I hate all people at the same time. It can be really hard. Also, putting so much pressure on how you look! Teens are going through so many physical changes that it's really unfair for other kids to judge them on how they look. One day they might have a huge zit or have gained weight and the next week the zit may have gone away and a month later the weight drops because they grew 6 inches. Boys experience voice changes and I know the voice cracking can be a source of laughter to others as well. It doesn't help that most kids think everyone is criticizing their behavior and physical appearance (Fiore 192) to begin with. 
It's always important to look out for warning signs of depression or changes in behavior that is really out of the ordinary. A minor bad day is one thing but if, as a parent or educator, you notice many bad days or depression symptoms you should talk to your child to make sure s/he isn't being bullied. I don't have to deal with this as a elementary educator to a high degree but there are kids who are starting to hit that 'tween' age and can be so mean to one another. Better safe than sorry! 


3 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this quote you got from the readings, "It doesn't help that most kids think everyone is criticizing their behavior and physical appearance (Fiore 192) to begin with." It also true that because of that we should also be more hyper sensitive to teenage depression. Depression should be taken serious at any advantage but teenagers still have extremely high suicide rates and prevention is always the best approach.

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  2. Molly, thank you for sharing about physical changes. The world around us is alway telling us that we need to have perfect bodies and if you don't you are a outcast. We are all guilty of trying to fit a mold that is not us, but with so much pressure from others is very hard not to fall in this trap.

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  3. Molly, thank you for sharing about physical changes. The world around us is alway telling us that we need to have perfect bodies and if you don't you are a outcast. We are all guilty of trying to fit a mold that is not us, but with so much pressure from others is very hard not to fall in this trap.

    ReplyDelete