MODULE 3:

Why Am I
Like This?
Most Essential Learning Competencies:
• Discuss developmental tasks and
challenges experienced during
adolescence
• Evaluate one’s development through the
help of significant people around him/her
(peers, parents, siblings, friends, teachers,
community leaders)
• Identify ways that help one become
capable and responsible adolescent
prepared for adult life
LESSON 1: Development Tasks
and Challenges experienced
during Adolescence
Stages of Adolescent Development
Development Tasks and
Challenges experienced
during Adolescence

Adolescence is a period of transition

when the individual changes—
physically and psychologically—from
a child to an adult.

It is a period when rapid

physiological and psychological
changes demand new social roles
to take place.
Development Tasks and
Challenges experienced
during Adolescence

Prior to these changes, the

adolescents often face a number
of crises and dilemmas. It is the
period when the child moves from
dependency to autonomy. It
demands significant adjustment
to the physical and social
changes.
Give 1 awkward
changes that have
occurred in your
adolescent life and
explain how you
managed it.
Challenges faced by
Adolescent
 PHYSICAL CHANGES
DURING ADOLESCENCE
For girls, you might start to see early
physical changes from about 10 or 11 years,
but they might start as early as 8 years or as
old as 13 years.
These physical changes during puberty
include:
• development of breast
• changes in body shape and height
• growth of pubic and body hair
• onset of menstruation or monthly period
PHYSICAL CHANGES DURING
ADOLESCENCE
For boys, physical changes usually start at around 11 or 12
years, but they might start as young as 9 years or as old as
14 years.
These physical changes include:
• growth of the penis and testes
(testicles)
• changes in body shape and
height
• erections with ejaculation
• growth of body and facial hair
• changes in voice.
BODY IMAGE CONCERNS
• It is within the context described
above that children and adolescents
begin to form their perception of their
own bodies – their body image.

• Body image can be defined as the

subjective evaluation of one’s body
and appearance (Smolak & Thompson
2009).
• In body image research, a person’s
body image is often described in
terms of the level of body-esteem.
NUTRITION, HEALTH, AND HYGIENE
Nutrition and dietary habits during adolescence
• Adolescence is a period of rapid physical
growth, with a corresponding increase in
nutritional requirements to support the
increase in body mass and to build up
stores of nutrients.
• Adolescence, because of their growing
bodies and brains, are gifted with so much
energy that seems inexhaustible, resulting
to abuse of body and mind.
IMPROVING THE NUTRITION OF ADOLESCENTS
Adolescent nutrition can be improved through
several measures including:
• recognition of the increased
nutritional requirements of
adolescents;
• nutritional education for the
promotion of healthy dietary habits
stated below;
• adequate diet at specific times;
• control of excessive indulgence in
food, especially those foods high in
sugar and fat;
IMPROVING THE NUTRITION OF ADOLESCENTS
Adolescent nutrition can be improved through
several measures including:
• minimizing the intake of sweets and
snacks between main meals, especially
junk food snacks;
• regular physical exercise to burn excess
calories and to strengthen muscles;
• regular intake of breakfast;
• use of sugar replacement if prone to
obesity; and
• ensuring that poultry and poultry
products, including meat are well-cooked,
and clean.
 MAJOR HEALTH CONCERNS OF ADOLESCENTS
• Obesity. It simply means that the
energy intake exceeds the amount
of energy consumed, and the
residual difference accumulates in
the body to cause fat.
• Anemia. Primarily caused by iron
deficiency.

• Iodine deficiency. It leads to

goiter, abortion and mental
retardation.
MAJOR HEALTH CONCERNS OF ADOLESCENTS
• Depression: a specific clinically recognized condition
diagnosed by psychologists or psychiatrists.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(STDs): It must be understood that
these age groups are vulnerable to
such infections.
 Examples for STDs: Syphilis
(spirochete), Hepatitis B (virus), Herpes
(virus), HIV (virus), AIDS (disease),
Trichomoniasis vaginitis (flagellar),
Genital warts (virus) and Chlamydia
infection (intracellular organisms).
 ADOLESCENCE IS A TIME TO BUILD ON THESE BASICS

• Good hygiene habits in

childhood are a great
foundation for good hygiene in
the teenage years. And if
you’ve got open, honest
communication with your child,
it’ll make it easier to talk about
the personal hygiene issues
that come up in adolescence.
Why good personal
hygiene matters?
 HELPING ADOLESCENT CHILD WITH THE BASICS OF
PERSONAL HYGIENE:

• Body odor: When children

reach puberty, a sweat gland
in their armpit and genital area
develops. Regular changing of
underwear and other clothes
worn next to the skin is
especially important.
 HELPING ADOLESCENT CHILD WITH THE BASICS OF
PERSONAL HYGIENE:

• Smelly feet: Smelly feet and

shoes can also be a problem,
whether you are sporty or not.
One can avoid this by giving
your feet extra attention while
taking a shower, and making
sure they are completely dry
before putting your socks and
shoes on.
 HELPING ADOLESCENT CHILD WITH THE BASICS OF
PERSONAL HYGIENE:

• Dental hygiene:
Brushing teeth twice a
day, flossing and going
to the dentist regularly
are vital to avoid bad
breath, gum problems
and tooth decay.
 HELPING ADOLESCENT CHILD WITH THE BASICS OF
PERSONAL HYGIENE:

• Girls: Monthly periods. Adolescent girls

should be told to change their pads
more often as well as to dispose these
used pads hygienically. Teenagers do
need extra time in the bathroom.

• Boys: Boys will need advice about

shaving (how to do it and when to
start), looking after their genitals, and
about bodily fluids.
LESSON 2: Evaluation of an
Adolescent’s Development
through the Significant
People in their Lives
 Evaluation of an Adolescent’s Development
through the Significant People in their Lives
• Society plays a huge role in molding teens’
behavior, character, and attitude. It determines
how they see other people, their general
outlook, and their ethics.
• Parents, and other family members, can also
influence all these things, but the things that
will remain with the kids for the long term
are learned from society. Now society
comprises of a lot of different things that
include media, neighborhood, laws, and
school.
“How do the people
around you affect
your life?”
 PEERS
• As teens’ emotional maturity increases, their
relationships with their peers change as they
become more vulnerable and emotionally intimate.
• This increased vulnerability and intimacy require
greater trust among peers
• Teens experience closeness
with friends
• Teens turn to their friends for
help; instead of their families
• growing independence
 Teens modify their behavior, activities, etc. to
be accepted by a peer group.
• Since acceptance by a peer group becomes
essential, teens modify their speech, dress,
behavior, choices, and activities to become
more similar to their peers.
• The developmental theorist Erik
Erickson described this
developmental step as a crisis of
identity vs. identity confusion
 Teens modify their behavior, activities, etc. to
be accepted by a peer group.
• When teens modify their choices or behavior
in order to conform to what their friends are
doing, they are adapting to peer pressure.

• Peer pressure is often associated

with adverse outcomes such as
skipping school, wearing
distasteful clothing, or drinking
alcohol, and using drugs.
 Teens modify their behavior, activities, etc. to
be accepted by a peer group.
• When teens modify their choices or behavior
in order to conform to what their friends are
doing, they are adapting to peer pressure.

• Peer pressure is often associated

with adverse outcomes such as
skipping school, wearing
distasteful clothing, or drinking
alcohol, and using drugs.
 Teens modify their behavior, activities, etc. to
be accepted by a peer group.
• However, many parents do not
recognize that peer pressure
may also have a positive
influence. Because of advanced
cognitive and emotional maturity,
teens can now encourage each
other to make wise decisions and
discourage them from making
wrong choices.
 FAMILY
Role of Family in Adolescent’s
Development
• Developmental theories view
adolescence as a period of growth in
which identity formation is addressed.
This view means that the family's role is
lessened or that family has only a
limited role in the lives of young people
at this time.
 FAMILY
Role of Family in Adolescent’s
Development
• However, research shows that ongoing
positive family connections are
protective factors against a range of
health risk behaviors. Although the
nature of relationships is changing, the
continuity of family connections and a
secure emotional base is crucial for the
positive development of young people.
FAMILY
Family is still important
Adolescents are moving towards
becoming independent
physically, emotionally and
cognitively, and yet they are still
growing.
 FAMILY
Young people require stability in a home or
environment, where they may get a secure
emotional base from which to explore and
experience the world.

This sense of security provides

them with somewhere to come
back to for reassurance, support,
and unconditional love, particularly
during tough times.
 FAMILY
A young person benefits from expectations
of respect, consideration, and reciprocity in
family relationships. They still benefit from
'trying out' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
within the family environment, and from
observing and experiencing relationships
within families. There will still be times when
they fall, yet they will benefit from
understanding and support to pick them up.
 FAMILY

Changing role of parents

A parent's relationship and caring role
with a young person continues to be
vital, although the relationship will need
to be flexible to adapt to the teenager's
changing needs. At this time, there will
need to be a gradual change from a
more authoritative approach, to a more
collaborative approach.
 FAMILY

Changing role of parents

Parents need to face the (painful) reality
that their child is no longer a child, is
becoming independent, and is no longer
within their control. They may feel
distressed as they perceive that the
young person will not listen to them, or
does the opposite of what they may
suggest
 FAMILY

Changing role of parents

Parents have to learn to ‘let go,’ not of
the relationship, but their dreams for
the young person. This may include
their full authority over young people so
that they may allow them to develop
their own dreams and greater self-
responsibility
LESSON 3: Ways on how to become
Capable and Responsible
Adolescent prepared for Adult Life
Ways on how to become Capable and
Responsible Adolescent prepared for
Adult Life
• Be responsible and make good
choices.
• Becoming responsible and being
able to make good choices are
fundamental traits, no matter
what developmental stage you
are.
Self-check:

Give at least 2 things you

have done that you think
can help you in your adult
life.
8 simple rules which could help teenagers
become a responsible adolescent prepared
for adult life:
1. Focus on your studies and do
well in all your endeavors. There
is a time for everything.
2. Take care of your health and
hygiene. Healthy body and mind
are important as you journey
through adolescence.
 8 simple rules which could help teenagers
become a responsible adolescent prepared
for adult life:
3. Establish good communication
and relation with your parents
or guardian. Listen to them.

4. Think a lot before doing

something.
5. Choose to do the right thing.
 8 simple rules which could help teenagers
become a responsible adolescent prepared
for adult life:
6. Do your best to resist temptations,
bad acts, and earthly pleasures and
commit to being a responsible
adolescent.
7. Respect yourself.
8. Be prepared to be answerable or
accountable for your actions and
behavior.
Ease the transition from being an adolescent
to being an adult by practicing essential
skills while you’re still at home.

While still at home, you can help ease

the transition by practicing essential
skills, like proper management of time
and money. To manage time well,
always try to be punctual when
meeting friends and family, as this
shows respect for their time.
 Ease the transition from being an adolescent
to being an adult by practicing essential
skills while you’re still at home.
To become skilled at managing your money,
start by learning to budget. You can make this
easier by downloading a budget app onto your
smartphone. Input all your expenses and bill
payments, to keep track of your spending and
savings. Once you gain confidence with your
budgeting and time skills, gradually work
toward becoming independent from your
family by setting goals like getting work.
Do you have any
question?
Let’s have a recap!
Thank you for attending
our online class!

God bless 