EARLY ADOLESCENCE

Early Adolescence

Early Adolescence

Early adolescence

The initial period of change that marks the adolescent years is called early adolescence, which extends roughly from age 10 to age 14. During these years, the individual is expected to make certain transitions. An early adolescent is expected to move from the security of a junior school to the stress of a secondary school education. However, in preindustrial societies, where the notion of teachers and schools differs from that in industrial societies, education occurs by working closely with skilled adults, often as an apprentice. Formal education may be available but limited to a small portion of male youths for a few hours weekly. Unlike youths from industrialised countries, who spend a great portion of their time with peers, adolescents in preindustrial societies spend more time in the company of same-sex adults (Schlegel & Barry, 1991).

THEORY IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Theories are sets of statements, understandable to others which make predictions about empirical events" (Mandler and Kessen, 1959,).

It would be confusing and frustrating if there were no theories to explain a variety of human behaviours. Five major theoretical views of development will be discussed:

Maturational theory

Although maturational theory is not widely accepted today brief mention of it will be made mainly because it played a significant role in the evolution of the study of child development. In the 1930s Gesell advanced his theory of development, which emphasized the role of maturation. Although he recognized that a child's behaviour is affected by experience, he argued that a child s development is determined biologically Gesell's work prompted a great deal of normative-descriptive research. That is, numerous children were observed and assessed during their early years, and from these data developmental norms were established. Thus, although maturational theory receives little support today, it has made a significant contribution to child psychology in ...