Your developing brain
Many changes that occur during puberty cannot be seen; for example, your brain is maturing just as your body is. However, the brain does not fully mature until we are in our early twenties. This means that a young person's ability to judge, plan, organise, make decisions and control their emotions is not fully developed. This may account for the moodiness, outbursts, tantrums and rude behaviours that some adolescents display. However, as your brain matures, your ability to make decisions and to analyse situations will improve. This will help you better monitor your emotional reactions.
Dealing with puberty
When things get difficult, remember that every adult in the world has gone through the period of change you are experiencing now. All your friends are going through the same thing. The following tips can be useful to remember when you are dealing with the changes of puberty:
Handling your emotions
During adolescence, we start to think independently of our parents and family and we form our own ideas, attitudes and values. We start discovering the world for ourselves; we learn more about ourselves and have thoughts about who we are and what our place is in the world. As we grow and experience life, our views and beliefs change. We start developing our own identity as individuals.
As our bodies change in size and shape, what we think about our body also changes. For some young people, the rapid growth of their body can be embarrassing. They can become very self-conscious, particularly if their body is growing and changing ahead of the bodies of their friends. The increase in the release of hormones not only affects our physical growth but can also heighten the emotions we experience. It is common for adolescents to start to feel extremes in their emotions that are sometimes difficult to manage. When you are finding it difficult to manage your emotions, it is a good idea to try to calm down before you react.
Anger is one of the more difficult emotions to control. We can usually feel anger developing when we are frustrated, hassled or stressed. When this happens, try to think of ways to manage the anger; for example, take deep breaths, use humour to downplay what triggered the reaction or channel the anger into positive physical activity by going for a walk or run.
ACTIVITIES (answer questions in a new Google document titled 'Dealing with Puberty')
Negotiations
Read the scenarios shown in the two cartoons below and answer the questions that follow.
Many changes that occur during puberty cannot be seen; for example, your brain is maturing just as your body is. However, the brain does not fully mature until we are in our early twenties. This means that a young person's ability to judge, plan, organise, make decisions and control their emotions is not fully developed. This may account for the moodiness, outbursts, tantrums and rude behaviours that some adolescents display. However, as your brain matures, your ability to make decisions and to analyse situations will improve. This will help you better monitor your emotional reactions.
Dealing with puberty
When things get difficult, remember that every adult in the world has gone through the period of change you are experiencing now. All your friends are going through the same thing. The following tips can be useful to remember when you are dealing with the changes of puberty:
- Read and learn about the physical, emotional and social changes of puberty so you have a better idea of what to expect.
- Talk to your doctor or another health professional if you are worried about aspects of your development or do not understand some of the changes in your body.
- Be patient with your parents. Remember, they are trying to do what is best for you. If there are disagreements, listen to what your parents have to say and then let them know your view.
- Try to negotiate with your parents. You need to show them that you are responsible by making good decisions, letting them know your plans and compromising in some situations.
- Remember that you will mature at your own pace because you are a unique person.
Handling your emotions
During adolescence, we start to think independently of our parents and family and we form our own ideas, attitudes and values. We start discovering the world for ourselves; we learn more about ourselves and have thoughts about who we are and what our place is in the world. As we grow and experience life, our views and beliefs change. We start developing our own identity as individuals.
As our bodies change in size and shape, what we think about our body also changes. For some young people, the rapid growth of their body can be embarrassing. They can become very self-conscious, particularly if their body is growing and changing ahead of the bodies of their friends. The increase in the release of hormones not only affects our physical growth but can also heighten the emotions we experience. It is common for adolescents to start to feel extremes in their emotions that are sometimes difficult to manage. When you are finding it difficult to manage your emotions, it is a good idea to try to calm down before you react.
Anger is one of the more difficult emotions to control. We can usually feel anger developing when we are frustrated, hassled or stressed. When this happens, try to think of ways to manage the anger; for example, take deep breaths, use humour to downplay what triggered the reaction or channel the anger into positive physical activity by going for a walk or run.
ACTIVITIES (answer questions in a new Google document titled 'Dealing with Puberty')
Negotiations
Read the scenarios shown in the two cartoons below and answer the questions that follow.
- How did Chris avoid starting a fight with his father?
- Do you think Chris achieved the best possible outcome?
What was Lily's first mistake in dealing with her situation?
FURTHER QUESTIONS
- Why do you think Lily became so upset so quickly?
- Imagine that Lily calls Chris after her argument with her father. What advice do you think Chris would give her? List at least three suggestions.
FURTHER QUESTIONS
- List two people who you could talk to who could help you deal with the changes of puberty. Describe the types of advice they could offer.
- When you feel your emotions rising, how do you help yourself calm down?