The teenage years are a critical period of development for our children. Adolescents face changes in their biological and emotional structure and in their social relationships. If teens are to devote their energy and attention to learning at school, these changes require teens to develop a number of coping skills. Talking regularly with teens about what they are learning in school and the challenges they are facing academically, emotionally, and socially is very important to maintaining a healthy line of communication and provides opportunities to provide guidance and support. In addition, there are a number of other strategies that adults can use to help adolescents develop their ability to cope with changes in their lives, and these strategies, which can be incorporated into daily activities at home, are described below. .
Development of academic, social and emotional skills in adolescents
What are some of the major responsibilities of parents in meeting the social and emotional needs of adolescents? Four areas that should be the focus of concern among parents are:
– Problem solving skills: develop skills to analyze stressful social situations, identify feelings and goals, make plans, communicate, build relationships and resolve conflicts
– Emerging sexuality: being aware of sexual development, recognizing and accepting bodily changes, recognizing and resisting inappropriate sexual behavior
– Healthy lifestyles, free of drugs and violence: establish healthy lifestyles and avoid drugs, alcohol, tobacco, steroids and other illegal or harmful substances; and reject violence as a means of solving problems
– Civic responsibility: build a sense of social and civic responsibility for the school, the family and the community.
The A’s, B’s, and 3 C’s of Social, Emotional, and Academic Growth
What adolescents need for social, emotional, and academic growth and strong character development is well known and within the power of parents to provide. These needs can be easily remembered as A’s, B’s, and the 3 C’s: Appreciation, Belonging, Trust, Competencies, and Contributions.
– Gratitude: Do not underestimate the importance of small gestures of appreciation towards adolescents. Parents should clearly praise teens for trying new things and taking care of even small household responsibilities.
– Belonging: Adolescents have a strong interest in belonging to groups in which they can be relaxed and do not feel pressured to perform in stressful situations. Parents should help their teens participate in local teams and take classes to develop hobbies, but avoid overloading.
– Confidence: Adolescents’ confidence can be eroded when they feel humiliated, either because of real or exaggerated problems related to their appearance or relationships, or because teasing and put-downs are part of the culture of their school or peer group . Parents should encourage effort and follow through to build the teen’s confidence.
– Competence: Doing tasks and projects well, exercising leadership skills, initiating one’s own actions, and working effectively in groups are important signs of social, emotional, and academic growth. To nurture teens’ competencies, parents need to help them develop study skills and planning skills for household and family projects, chores, and responsibilities.
– Contributions: Although adolescents seem to be self-centered, that does not mean they are selfish. Teens are eager to make significant and noteworthy contributions to the world, but few have a clear idea of ​​how to seize the opportunities to do so. Parents can involve teens in family charitable decisions by encouraging gift giving to those most in need and by modeling and encouraging community service.
Important issues for parent and school associations
Ensuring a smooth transition into young adulthood requires parents and schools to work together in partnership. The topics listed below can spark important discussions and enhance a sense of partnership between parents and educators, educators and students, and children and parents. These topics are related to the academic, social and emotional areas that concern adolescents, as well as the A’s, B’s and 3 C’s that serve to nurture their spirit and character.
– Organize the family to help adolescents meet academic demands, with less stress for everyone
– Choose friends carefully and also deal with the influence of group norms, popular trends, the media and the importance of belonging
– Develop leadership skills and take initiatives.
– Deal with conflicts between friends and authority figures.
– Find alternatives to verbal and non-verbal aggression, especially in times of high stress, frustration and exhaustion
– Recognize potential conflicts between parent and peer values ​​(eg, dress, importance of achievement, use of electronic media, curfews and bedtimes)
– Learn about the stages in the life of adolescents, adults and parents.
– Dealing with diversity, difference and various conditions of disability and challenge.