As you grow older, your body and your mind begin to change, this is called puberty. Everyone goes through it! Take a look at these resources below to help you understand and navigate your changing body:

Physical Changes

Your Changing Brain: Believe it or not, your brain is changing from around the time you turn 6 years old and will continue to change into your mid-twenties! Adolescence is a time of significant growth and development inside your teenage brain.

So what’s going on in there? The main change is that unused connections in the thinking and processing part of your brain (called the gray matter) are ‘pruned’ away. At the same time, other connections are strengthened. This is the brain’s way of becoming more efficient, based on the ‘use it or lose it’ principle.

This pruning process begins in the back of the brain. The front part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, is remodeled last. The prefrontal cortex is the decision-making part of the brain, responsible for your ability to plan and think about the consequences of actions, solve problems, and control impulses. Changes in this part of the brain continue into early adulthood.

Because the prefrontal cortex is still developing, teenagers might rely on a part of the brain called the amygdala to make decisions and solve problems more than adults do. The amygdala is associated with emotions, impulses, aggression, and instinctive behavior.

Check out this video from Dan Siegel about the brain pruning process! View HERE

Social Changes

Identity: Now is a time when you and your friends begin working out who you are and where you fit in the world. You might try new clothing styles, listen to new music, or join a new friend group. 

Check out our page on exploring identity!

Responsibility: The older you get, the more mature you become, and therefore you can take on more responsibility - both at home and at school. This could include things like cooking dinner once a week or being on the school council. 

Values: This is a time in your life when you begin to develop a stronger individual set of values and morals. You might question more things and try new experiences to explore shaping your own opinions, values, and morals. 

Here are some conversation starters to get you thinking about what values are important to you: 

• What does the word “values” mean to you personally? 

• What's most important?

• Where did these values come from?

• What family stories or role models have instilled your values and worldview?

• How do these values show up in your actions?

Influences: Your friends and peers might have a big influence on your behavior, appearance, interests, sense of self, and self-esteem. Finding friends with common interests, morals, and values will help you develop your strongest sense of self and self-esteem. 

Sexual identity: This is the time of your life when you might start to have questions about your gender identity or sexuality. You may begin discovering romantic relationships and begin dating. The important thing to remember is to move at your own pace and communicate what you are comfortable with. 

If you are questioning your identity, the Trevor Project has some helpful articles are resources for you to explore. Check out this website, here. 

Media: The internet and social media can influence how you communicate with friends and learn about the world. There are many benefits for your social development, but also some risks. Talk to your mentor about the best way to protect yourself from social media risks and ensure your internet safety.

Check out our Digital Citizenship page for more information!

Emotional Changes 

Moods and feelings: You might begin to show strong feelings and intense emotions, and your moods might seem unpredictable. These emotional ups and downs happen partly because your brain is still learning how to control and express emotions in a grown-up way.

Sensitivity to others: As you get older, you will begin to get better at reading and understanding other people’s emotions. But while you are developing these skills, sometimes you misread facial expressions or body language. Talk with your mentor about how to work out what others are feeling.

Self-consciousness: Teenage self-esteem is often affected by how teenagers think they look. As your body changes, it is perfectly natural to feel self-conscious about your physical appearance. You might also compare your body with those of friends and peers, but it is important to remember everyone is different!

Check out this video all about emotional and social changes you may experience during puberty: View here

Decision-making: You might go through a stage where you seem to act without thinking. Your decision-making skills are still developing, and you’re still learning that actions have consequences and even risks sometimes. Talking about mistakes you didn’t mean to make with your mentor is a great way to learn and grow! 

Check out this quick video about how your brain develops, and and the decision making process in an adolescent mind.