Teenage life involves a number of changes both physically and mentally. This is where children become full-grown adults in a span of six years. Teenagers are of the ages 13 to 19. Here they may be able to acquire developments along with their fellow teenagers and the help of closely related adults. These developments let them realize that it is the transition where education and psychological help will be very useful when experiencing sudden changes that are very new in your body. Described below are some of the changes that teenagers experience during this stage. There are little differences that one might notice between males and females.
Physical changes
- Growth in the body may be noticed. Teenagers experience release of growth hormones. It is where growth spurt is suddenly experienced. Males are naturally taller than females. Nonetheless, in puberty stage, males are known to experience growth spurt later than females. Females are more likely experience growth spurt around one to two years earlier than males. With this, there are times where females are much taller than males in early teenage years. Nonetheless, muscle growth highly occurs in males than females.
- Reproductive organs also develop in this stage. The sex characteristics are known to be different on males from females. Males undergo circumcision in order to remove the excess skin in their reproductive organs. Females, on the other hand, experience menstruation for the first time during teenage years, sometimes earlier. Nonetheless, these developments or experiences occur to prepare them for future reproduction. Females' menstruation symbolizes that they already have functional ovaries which allow them to release eggs. Males may produce sperms which can fertilize eggs. With this, females are bound to bear a child when their eggs become fertilized. These are sex characteristics that are more likely to occur during the teenage years.
Mental changes
- Cognition is more likely to be developed in this stage. The moment when a child suddenly picks up an idea means that he/she already has the attention to listen. Children are known to have a selective attention. Their attention span is shorter than that of adults. Teenagers develop their attention span by taking notice of ideas in a longer range than before.
- Memory is improved in this stage. One develops his/her ability to store knowledge may it be short term or long term. It is said that short term memory saves more or less 7 items. With this, as soon as the person gets to store at this number, one may say that his/her memory has improved.
- Processing of ideas also indicate changes mentally. This involves being able to think quickly when presented with a problem or question. Also, decision making is improved since in teenage years, these kids will be allowed to independently decide. Children normally do not have this power of deciding. Preparing for adulthood, teenagers must learn to decide for themselves. At this age they must be able to weigh down the consequences of such decisions or know the advantages of their positive actions.