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What is happening? | How can I tell? | How can I help? |
Brain-Based Development | ||
Concentration, complex thought, planning and impulse control have matured |
Becoming more able to plan, anticipate consequences and make decisions Continuing to improve and refine precision and speed when performing complex tasks, with fewer errors Displaying more consistent and flexible use of these abilities |
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Efficiency of brain functioning continues into adulthood |
Able to understand and interpret complex and abstract ideas (for example, able to think hypothetically and create a number of possible scenarios instead of limiting their thoughts to what is real) Able to learn new information quickly |
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The ability to assess risks and rewards increases |
More able to effectively assess risk versus reward May decrease thrill-seeking and risk-taking behaviour May be less sensitive to pleasure and reward |
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There is greater capacity to control impulses and regulate behaviour |
Even under conditions of high emotional stress, able to anticipate consequences, control impulses, and act on rational decisions Has improved organizational skills and ability for long-range planning |
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Development of Reasoning Skills | ||
Abstract thought matures |
Able to compare and contrast different theories and ideas to draw their own conclusions |
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Logical thinking matures |
Improving ability to think about possibilities, form and evaluate hypotheses, deduce and induce principles that serve to guide decision making Establishing abstraction and advanced reasoning |
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Working memory matures |
Further refining the flexible use of working memory (for example, when solving a puzzle, can keep track of the solutions that have already been tried) |
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Beliefs about knowledge are more sophisticated |
Acknowledges that truth, facts and ideas are often relative, and sees that some methods of evaluating truth are more reliable than others Able to think about knowledge as being constructed. (for example, being able to think critically and question how it is we come to know “X” is true) May become frustrated with a lack of “right answers” to issues and questions Developing a mature understanding of the nature and limits of knowledge |
What is happening? | How can I tell? | How can I help? |
Experience of Emotions | ||
Emotional responses are maturing and sensitivity to reward begins to decrease |
Experiencing a decrease in mood fluctuations and becoming less emotionally reactive to situations |
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Self-Regulation | ||
Emotional self-regulation matures |
Able to self-regulate emotions using thinking strategies Able to override emotional responses and make reasoned choices |
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Motivation is further internalized |
Demonstrates ability to set their own goals and stay on task with less prompting from others |
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Empathy | ||
Empathy reaches maturity |
Can detect subtle signs of emotional distress in others Is able to respond appropriately to the needs of others |
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What is happening? | How can I tell? | How can I help? |
Identity Formation | ||
A sense of identity is solidifying |
May begin to commit to an identity after exploring various roles, values, beliefs and goals May signal values, beliefs and goals through the opportunities and interests pursued |
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Gender identity is more stable |
May display a sense of confidence around gender identity—expressed through clothing/image |
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Social group-esteem and social identity mature |
May display a commitment or sense of belonging to social groups Begins to feel comfortable with their own social identity and has positive feelings about social group membership Has learned about their own social groups and has examined their own beliefs independently Rejects negative views based on stereotypes held by others |
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Spiritual beliefs may be more internalized |
May begin to integrate religious/spiritual beliefs into their larger identity Motivated to act/behave to a greater degree by deeply held beliefs Sense of place in, and connectedness to, the larger world beginning to emerge |
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Self-concepts become more integrated |
May be able to resolve conflicting self-concepts based upon differences in contexts |
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Self-appraisal skills continue to improve |
Continuing to refine ability to think critically and be reflective of one’s self Is less reliant on/looking for the approval of others |
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Self-efficacy is increasing |
Can take on more difficult and longer-term challenges, and persevere in the face of adversity or failure to achieve goals |
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Self-esteem improves |
Feeling more confident and positive about themselves Level of self-esteem continues to improve (this process is ongoing until late adulthood) |
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Development of Relationships | ||
Understanding of multiple perspectives is maturing |
May fully understand the effect of social roles in perspective-taking Understands that “neutral” perspectives on a situation are rare, and that everyone’s perspective is coloured by their context, beliefs and background |
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Peer relationships continue to evolve |
Exhibits weakened influence of peers, greater ability to choose a romantic partner based on personal compatibility (as opposed to social standing as is often the case for younger teens) |
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Romantic relationships mature |
Shifts focus in romantic relationships from fun/companionship to forming strong emotional bond with physical and emotional intimacy May have longer-lasting relationships (often more than a year) and be working with a partner toward a committed and long-term relationship in which conflicts are negotiated and resolved. Spending a large amount of time alone in couples, rather than in larger group (some may prefer to engage in shorter-term relationships as they explore their independence) LGBTTQ youth may “come out” more fully in openly acknowledging a same-sex relationship |
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Family relationships continue to evolve |
Experiences a continuing decline in conflict with parents |
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Moral reasoning may begin to shift to a focus on moral or ethical principles |
May increasingly make moral decisions based on self-chosen moral and ethical principles May begin to make decisions out of concern for equality, human rights, dignity, and life, regardless of the consequences for own self May continue to make decisions based on a “law and order” orientation with a focus on upholding laws in order to maintain social order |
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Self-sufficiency continues to strengthen |
Able to maintain close connections while still maintaining a separate sense of identity May leave family home to live independently Continues to gain financial independence |
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What is happening? | How can I tell? | How can I help? |
Physical Activity | ||
Levels of physical activity continue to decline |
Less likely to engage in physical activities |
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Cardiovascular and muscular endurance, strength and flexibility are changing |
Females: in the absence of training, exhibit no further increase in cardiovascular endurance or muscular capabilities Males: gradual increase in cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength is peaking, and begins to level off (there are no further increases in muscular endurance) In the absence of training, slow decline in flexibility continues |
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Growth & Physical Development | ||
Changes associated with puberty are concluding |
Females: have often completed pubertal changes Males: may continue to gain weight, height, muscle mass and body hair |
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Hormonal influences on the sleep cycle begin to reverse |
Falls asleep earlier in the evening and wakes up earlier in the morning |
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Body Image & Nutrition | ||
Development of body image is ongoing |
More apt to make social comparisons about body type Opinions about style, clothing and appearance become important |
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The need for making independent decisions about nutrition and healthy eating increases |
Has more prominent opinions about, and a desire for independent control over, eating and nutrition |
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