Characteristics of the Adolescent Learner: Physical Developement

Characteristics of the Adolescent Learner: Physical Developement

1. Puberty

   • Involves distinctive physiological changes, such as: height, weight, body composition, sex characteristics, and further development of the circulatory and respiratory systems
   • These means changes in hygiene and cleaning for these adolescents as they will need to start using deodorant and washing more regularly
     • By this age, they will need to also be the one responsible for ensuring they are being hygienic (brushing teeth, deodorant, washing, shaving, etc.)
   • These changes are largely influenced by hormonal activity

2. Development of Secondary Sex Characteristics

   • Due to change in hormones
   • Characteristics such as:
     • Deepening voice in males
     • Growth of facial hair in males
     • Development of breasts and hips in females
     • Menstruation begins for females

3. Growth in Extremities, and Change in Height

   • Males generally experience their growth two years later than females
   • Extremeties are the first to grow (head, hands, and feet) this is than followed by the arms and legs and then later by the torso and shoulders
     • This non-unifrom growth is why the adolescent body is often seen as out of proportion, often leading to incoordination