Child Development FACT SHEET

A dolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood. Early adolescence can be best described as a stage within a stage. Some youth are still immature and may lack direction, motivation and other skills needed to succeed. The most obvious change during this stage is puberty, the biological events that prepare teens for childbearing. Puberty is not a single event, it is a process. Most changes that occur are caused by natural changes hormones. The change in hormone levels may contribute to irritability, “teen acne” and other changes. Primary and secondary changes occur. For a female, the “period ” is a primary characteristic. The ability to produce sperm is the sign for the male. Outward indicators such as pubic hairs and hairs under the arms for both genders, voice changes and facial hair for boys, and breasts for girls are secondary characteristics