Pre-Adolescent Development (10-14)

Moodiness and roller- coaster emotions emerge during

puberty; they can be happy one moment and then angry or very upset the next.

Growth spurts may result in

clumsiness and a lack of coordination as they adjust to their new bodies.

Elkin

Imaginary Audience

Peer groups become

increasingly important.

Many preteens would rather be social than

tend to their school work or other responsibilities.

Some experience large shifts in their social circles as they go through puberty.

Tight knit groups and cliques can form

As they further into adolescence, they may dabble in more serious

risk behaviors (such as self-harm, drinking alcohol, or sexual activity).

They tend to test

rules and limits at home and in school (e.g. not following directions, using foul language).

They have a greater desire for
independence, yet

there is a tendency to return to “childish” behavior, particularly when stressed.

Elkin’s imaginary audience is feeling that

one is the center of everyone’s attention

With Elkin’s imaginary audience, there’s increased

self-consciousness

Elkin’s imaginary audience peaks in

early adolescence , slows down a bit as move towards older years

Personal Fable of Elkin’s Imaginary Audience:

personal uniqueness; no one understands me

Children at this age begin to move from concrete to

abstract thinking.

Formal Operational Stage

What Piaget called abstract thinking in preteens

Early Adolescents may still lean towards

concrete thinking and increased “ego-centricism”

As processing becomes more complex, they are also more likely to

question rules and standards and want to understand the “why” of things.

Intellectual interests

expand and become more important.

Good time to bring up

issues of social justice, prosocial behavior and change

Academically, preadolescents may enjoy

school more as well as the social aspects of learning. This works well when teachers encourage learning in small groups.

Typically, between ages 12 and 14, preadolescents become very aware of

their own sexuality and others’ sexuality.

These body changes can inspire

both curiosity and anxiety

Some children may question their

gender identity at this time

The onset of puberty can also be a difficult time for

transgender or gender nonconforming children.

Positive and accepting school climate is

an important protective factor.

Over the past 15 years, more students report that

their schools have gay-straight alliance programs, there are more school staff who are supportive, and their schools have anti- bullying and harassment policies that protect LGBTQ students

What reigns at this age?

puberty

Puberty has several

stages

In terms of puberty, kids will develop at

different rates

This is the age when they need to be informed of and practice

personal hygiene.