Adolescent Plane of Development

Characteristics of Adolescents

With the exception of infants, adolescents are growing more than any other time of life.  This rutted path leads them to sexual maturation, but takes them through periods of both exceptional energy and lethargy.  Their need for adequate food and sleep is paramount at this time.  All of the changes to their bodies leave teens feeling self-conscious and vulnerable.  They constantly feel judged by others, and are open to hurt and humiliation.

Adolescents feel passionately about justice, and feel personally impacted when they perceive injustice.  At this time they begin to question beliefs and rules that they previously just accepted.  They are drawn to social causes, and feel empowered when they are able to help others.  During this plane they also tend to seek or create heroes in an effort to counter all the imperfections they see in the world.

For the first time in their lives, adolescents are able to imagine what perfection is.  They can visualize what the ideal family, flawless school, and perfect world would look like to them.  As a result, they can become preoccupied focusing on the problems around them.  Adolescents often blame those closest to them for life’s imperfections, which can cause tension in home and school.

The adolescent has a huge task of taking all of their separate identities and amalgamating them into a new self-identity.  Previously they have viewed themselves compartmentally.  They were a sister, a son, a guitar player, an artist, a friend, etc.  Now they are taking all of those different roles to view themselves as a whole person.  As they are very judgmental of others and themselves, this also tends to be a time of dissonance.  This change of behaviour is a normal part of the passageway to maturity.

For the first time in their lives, adolescents are able to imagine what perfection is.  They can visualize what the ideal family, flawless school, and perfect world would look like to them.  As a result, they can become preoccupied focusing on the problems around them.  Adolescents often blame those closest to them for life’s imperfections, which can cause tension in home and school.

Peer relationships are of utmost importance to adolescents.  They identify strongly with their peers and have an innate need to belong.  It is important for teens to feel that they can help others and add value to their community.  They are motivated by working with peers, and often need time to “just be”.  This time alone and together with peers aids in the formation of their identity.

Why Our Program is Different?

The rapid development of adolescents creates a winding path to maturity, often full of ups and downs.  It is vital that a Junior High program is aware of the very specific needs of adolescents and is able to provide an appropriate environment to allow students to thrive.  We recognize the unrest that adolescents are prone to feel, and our awareness of this helps us assist youth moving through our program.  We value a strong classroom community, which helps to assist all youth feel a sense of belonging.  This frees their minds up to be able to focus more on academic growth.

Keeping in mind the characteristics of adolescents, our program aims to provide authentic, purposeful work that engages the mind and body.  We focus on projects that require action and put practical life skills into action.  WWJH offers an academically rigorous program that challenges students.  Our individualized goal setting and group work encourages accountability for each student.  The session topics we offer are interesting and relevant to students and interdisciplinary by nature.

Having a prepared environment at this plane of development requires allowing for meaningful experiences.  We focus on hands-on learning opportunities and projects, helping students feel that their work is necessary and relevant.  We aim to have students learn through experience.