48
Chapter 2 Your Growth and Development
section
2:1
Growth
Patterns
Sharpen Your Reading
Organize your notes with a graphic organizer.
Create a chart with the headings Growth Pattern,
Characteristics During Teen Years, and Actions to
Promote Maturity. Chart subheads should include
Definition, Physical, Intellectual, Social, and
Emotional.
Boost Your Vocabulary
For each term related to brain structure, draw a
picture, diagram, or symbol of the type of brain
activity each area controls.
Know Key Terms
physical development
puberty
intellectual development
brainstem
cerebellum
limbic system
cortex
emotional development
social development
socialization
role
character
ethics
Typical growth patterns have been identified
in the following four areas:
‚ physical
‚ intellectual
‚ social
‚ emotional
The chart in 2-1 describes some growth
patterns linked to these four areas. Growth
patterns follow an orderly sequence—the steps
occur in a specific order. For instance, babies
move their arms and legs randomly at first.
As their muscles develop, they learn to use
their arms and legs to pull themselves around.
Next, they learn to crawl on hands and knees.
Finally, the young child reaches the stage of
walking. This is an example of a physical growth
pattern. Patterns can be identified in all areas of
development.
Although normal growth follows a pattern,
each person proceeds along the pattern at his
or her own pace or rate of development. For
instance, some teens develop physically at an
earlier age than others. Some are tall; others are
short. Some are well-developed; others are barely
beginning to develop.
Your rate of development does not affect
the limits of your overall development. If you
develop early, it does not mean you will grow
taller or bigger or be more intelligent. For
instance, one boy in eighth grade may be five feet
tall while another is six feet tall. When both finish
growing, they may be the same height.
Reaching your full growth potential depends
on other factors, too. Heredity and environment
both influence your overall growth and
personality development. For instance, the way
you look and behave are traits inherited from
your parents. The way you take care of yourself is
an environmental influence.
Think More About It
How do you think different growth rates
affect the feelings that young teens have
about themselves?