Here is your free sample essay on Adolescence

Adolescence is the period that generally ranges between 12-18 years. During this period, the body reaches its maximum power in the use of its musculature.

Adolescents experience a big change in every part of the body. Muscles, bones, glands, brain, and heart – all develop.

Weight and height also increase. The proportion of growth and development between girls and boys is not same. Before 14 years girls grow more than boys but after 14 years boys surpass girls. The functional ability of circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system etc increase. There comes a change in the voice of both boys and girls.

Pubic hair grows at some parts of the body. In case of boys there is growth of beard and moustache and in case of girl’s menstrual cycle start. Sex organs of both boys and girls develop maximum.

Intelligence expands during this period and special interests along with increased mental power are experienced as a result of which power of memorizations, attention and reception increase. Bodily changes coupled with increased power of sense organs and sex organs bring a big effect of mind.

Both the sexes become curious to each other, feeling of heroism, courage drive the mind of the adolescents. During this period the feeling of self-consciousness becomes strong, they become thoughtful, emotional, creative and imaginative.

Social consciousness also increases in this period. Adolescents become alert about what goes an around the world. Adolescents have certain specific needs to be fulfilled in this phase. The needs are: i) needs of freedom and activity ii) needs of social adjustment iii) needs of self dependence iv) needs of sex satisfaction v) needs of ideals of life.

The teachers, parents, guardians and elders in school, family, society should provide appropriate advice, guidance and supervision to the children so that above needs are satisfied to a large extent.

Based on the above growth and development characteristics of individuals at different stages of their lives, certain general principles pertaining to physical and motor growth and development may be laid down which will help the physical educators to prepare a programme of physical activities.

1. Normal children need each day a longer hours of physical activity.

2. Apart from heredity and nutritive environment, the organic systems of the body can be developed through muscular activity.

3. As the skeleton of the child is formed with cartilages and fibrous tissues, appropriate care should be taken while prescribing physical activity in order to avoid postural deformities.

4. Before giving physical activities to the children, special attention should be given to their physiological age.

5. Normal children need large muscle activity for proper growth and development.

6. Various parts of the body do not grow at the same rate.

7. Motor activity aids in the increase of intellectual, social and emotional growth and development.

8. Skill programme should depend on the maturity level of children.

9. Growth is disturbed by diseases, malnutrition and inadequate exercise.

10. Skills acquired in childhood have carry over effect in adulthood.

11. Skill learning helps awkward adolescents to find satisfaction and enjoyment through participation.

12. The needs and physiological make up of the adolescent boys and girls should be given due importance before participation in physical education programme.

13. The message that everyone irrespective of age or sex benefits from physical activity should reach all.