By Lori Sclafani
EDI 17 Psychology & Development of Adolescent Students
Long Island University, C. W. Post
January 29, 2010
The word adolescent in text is defined as “the process or period of growth between childhood and maturity”. What is not explained is what it actually means to be an adolescent and what is involved in this “process” or stage of life. Adolescents are often misjudged and misunderstood. It is easy to forget how it is to be an adolescent and understand the various challenges and obstacles they are faced with, such as: academic pressure, peer pressure, criticism (from peers as well as adults), to name a few. Adolescents are at a difficult age, they are still developing both psychologically and emotionally. They are confused about their identity and are trying to make sense out themselves as a person and life in general. Adolescence is the stage in life that needs to be nurtured with encouragement, understanding, support, communication, and respect from both parents and teachers.
As a prospective teacher, I find the importance of understanding adolescent development and how it affects them as students, academically and personally. I feel the more you understand about their development and behavior, and respect their voices and opinions; the more successful you will be as a teacher. Adolescence is more than a word defined in a book, it is a part of life that we all had to face and triumph over; it is about discovery, learning from experiences – both good and bad, finding his /her identity, learning and satisfying our curiosity.
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