Understanding Early Adolescence

The period between eleven and fourteen is known as early adolescence, a time of great changes, cognitively, emotionally,physically, and socially. If early adolescence could be described in one word it would be relationships. All the adolescents' relationships are changing-- their relationships within the family, their relationships with their peers, and their relationships with themselves. They are fluctuating between childhood and young adulthood. On that continuum they sometimes will impress you with their insight and adult behavior and then ten minutes later they may be yelling and running around the house with their younger siblings.

This section on early adolescence is divided into four sections, representing areas of growth that mark the beginning of puberty and the beginning of adolescence. They are social, cognitive, physical, and emotional development. You may choose any one those four areas for more information concerning early adolescence. There are also links to the suggested reading guide and links to the internet that will provide you with more information on this subject.

Social

Emotional

Physical

Cognitive

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