5 areas of developmental stages for 15-18yrs
Intellectual Development
* Abstract thinking becomes more common with older teenagers
- they’ll gravitate more to the “gray” areas between the “black-and-white” issues of their early years
- they’ll also change their mind about the “grays” to suit their goals and wishes
* Older teenagers, such as those in this age range, expand their logic and reasoning abilities, although many still struggle to match their thinking abilities with their actions
- a lot of kids will talk intelligently but then have trouble with planning
* Their thinking now considers the future
- they can think and have thoughtful discussions about war, college, the economy, and their visions of what would make the world better
* Because older teenagers are more intellectually advanced than a child or younger teens, adults can have more back-and-forth conversations with them
- they’re better able to understand other people’s points of views, and they’re more open to other perspectives and ideas
* Many older teenagers will use their new intellectual capacities as “logical weapons” against their parents
- this has more to do with them separating from you
- they’ll punch holes in your logic, and they’ll challenge you with thought-out reason
Physical Development
* Older teenagers typically look physically older than they are
- 15-year-olds can be mistaken for 21-year-olds, which is why some teenagers find themselves in troubling situations
* Since all kids go through 5 stages of puberty, you’ll continue to see older teenagers mature
- even during the high school years, you’ll notice teenagers maturing at different rates
- this is normal, even if teenagers don’t feel like it is
* Most teenagers have trouble waking up in the morning
- part of this is because they stay up later
- but part of it is biological
- older teenagers tend to shortchange sleep, which can hinder their development
- don’t be afraid to let them sleep until noon—or even until the middle of the afternoon—on weekends
* Teenagers still need healthy nutrition, but this is the time when parents typically have the least influence on how a teenager eats
- keep offering healthy food, but be patient
- modeling healthy eating habits often pays off in the long run, and be ready to answer questions about food and health
- even if teens are not eating the way you’d like them to, they are often curious about their bodies and nutrition
* If your child is not athletic, help her find a sport or physical activity she enjoys
- kids who don’t excel athletically are tempted to avoid all physical activity
- modeling and talking about the importance of exercise can make an impact long term
Social Development
* friendships and romance become more important while cliques become less so
* Older teenagers are less influenced by peer pressure
- they’re more likely to seek out experts when they want to know or do something
* Teenagers are heavily influenced by their friends when it comes to clothing, styles, music, and fads
* Your child is more likely to seek out advice and help from a friend than from you
* A lot of teenagers pair off into couples
- dating becomes more pervasive, and some teens develop intense romantic relationships
* Older teenagers enjoy going to parties
- many like being with large groups of friends
- make sure your older teenager knows what to do at parties where alcohol or drugs are prevalent
- some teenagers can attend these parties without participating in these activities, while other teenagers are more susceptible
* Since many teenagers spend more time away than at home, make sure you know where your teenager is, who your teenager is with, and what your teenager plans to do
- encourage your teenager to update you if plans change
Emotional Development
* Emotionally, teenagers don’t typically like physical affection from their parents
- many do, however, like a lot of physical affection from their friends
* Expect a lot of tension and conflict with your teenager, because your teenager is separating from you
- the path to independence is rocky for both parents and older teenagers
* Some older teenagers will go anywhere—except where their parents are
- be patient with this
- typically kids will draw closer to parents once they leave home
- once they’ve experienced “true independence,” they discover that their parents aren’t as idiotic as they thought when they were older teenagers
* Monitor your teenager’s emotional states
- most have an emotional state that they’re most comfortable with
- some are easygoing
- some get angry easily
- others get depressed
- intervene if emotions are overwhelming your older teenager
* Some teenagers will give you the silent treatment when they become angry—or if they don’t get their way
- give them time to simmer down- they’ll talk to you again (usually when they need something from you)
* Some kids begin dabbling in more serious risk behaviors (such as self-harm, drinking alcohol, trying drugs, and having sex)
- help kids steer clear of these behaviors
- talk with them about what they’re experiencing—and what they’re seeing going on with their peers
- some are struggling with difficult issues
Spiritual Development
* Older teenagers begin to make choices about where intentional spiritual practices fit (or don’t fit) in their lives
* Many become clearer about the activities & things that bring joy and energy in life, including a sense of vocation
* Children begin to internalize personal beliefs & practices, which may be similar to or different from those of their parents & their friends
* Kids can develop strong convictions regarding social & political change
- they may become deeply committed to service & social change
- some may even become activists for causes they believe in
* Your children are more aware of different spiritual and religious traditions
- those who are interested in this area often will seek to understand different forms of spirituality
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