Emerging Adolescence

Emerging adolescence is an exciting time! Our learners are developing their identities and at times, testing boundaries.

Below are some of the developmental changes we can expect to see during this time:

• Peer relationships can become unsettled for girls, and for boys these relationships can become increasingly competitive

• Many experience bouts of unexplained moodiness and irritability (emotional ups and downs can lead to increased conflict within peer group and family)

• Prefers to spend time with peers rather than family

• Makes choices about appearance and interests based on the approval of friends (parental influence remains important on long-term decisions, such as career choices, values and morals)

• Is self-conscious, especially about physical appearance and bodily changes

• Is beginning to explore the idea of gender identity which may include a ‘romance’ or special relationship (usually not intimate)

• Begins to think more abstractly and question different points of view

• Questions parental decisions (can be seen as argumentative, but this shows your child is maturing)

• Seeks more independence in decision-making, but is still learning about consequences of actions and needs parents and teachers to guide and set limits

• Develops a stronger set of values and morals

(M. Carr-Gregg, 2014) 

Insights from neuroscience suggest brain plasticity peaks in childhood and adolescence (the primary mechanism for memory and learning). At the same time, we recognise that learning can often be a struggle. We openly appreciate and expect our students to be challenged in their learning as we want their brains to be fully stimulated!

For us, helping our learners develop a growth mindset is a cornerstone to equipping our students for success. Reinforcing the belief that our most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work and that ‘brains and talent’ are just the starting point is key. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment (Dweck, 2015).

Adolescence is also the time to identify strengths and invest in emerging talents. With this aspect in mind, we aim to offer a robust student life at MBI that is filled with opportunities to try new things.  Afterall, the more we can ensure our students’ minds are in a state of excitation, the stronger the connection to learning pathways within the brain. Through opportunities like the Arts, Sport, and Day T, we hope our students find their passions and excite their minds!