Teens may find their adolescence to be an exciting time as they develop physically, sexually and emotionally. For some, however, the beginning of their adolescence can be a rocky start to this stage of life. As teens develop at varying rates and experience awkward phases, they may feel the pressures of their peers weighing heavily upon them.
Time Frame
Adolescence, which is generally considered to occur from the age of 12 to the age of 17, can be divided into two phases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define early adolescence as age 12 to 14, while middle adolescence occurs from age 15 to 17.
Girls
Girls undergo significant physical changes during early adolescence. Most girls experience a growth spurt at this stage in life, with some girls gaining around 3.5 inches in height in a single year. According to Medline Plus, most girls experience the most dramatic increase in height around the age of 12. They gain in weight as well due to an increase in body fat.
Puberty also brings about a number of secondary sexual characteristics that change the physical appearance of an adolescent girl. Pubic, armpit and leg hair begin growing in around age 9 or 10, but it isn't until early adolescence that these types of hair reach their adult distribution pattern. Girls begin to develop breasts as early as the age of 8, and their full breast size is reached between the ages of 12 and 18, explains Medline Plus. The average age for a girl to experience her first menstrual period is 12.5.
Boys
A growth spurt is also common is early adolescent boys, usually occurring around the age of 14. During the growth spurt, a boy may grow 4.1 inches taller in one year. Boys also gain weight rapidly during this stage, which can mostly be attributed to an increase in muscle mass, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
The earliest age for puberty-related changes in boys is age 9, when a boy's testicles, scrotum and penis may increase in size, says Medline Plus. This growth, along with the emergence of pubic, leg, chest, facial and armpit hair, continues throughout early adolescence, with adult genitals size and hair distribution being reached in middle adolescence. A boy may also begin having nocturnal emissions or "wet dreams" during early adolescence.
Brain Development
The Virginia Cooperative Extension reports that scientific research suggests that the brain continues to grow throughout early adolescence, with complete development usually occurring towards the end of adolescence. During this time, neurons associated with mental, physical and emotional functions may suffer from incomplete connections, resulting in inconsistent impulses and emotions in teens.
Warnings
Teens may become more concerned about their physical appearance during early adolescence, especially due to the rapid changes they are experiencing in their bodies, says the CDC. Eating disorders are of special concern, so parents should monitor their teen's attitude about her body image.
During early adolescence, teens may also experience clumsy or awkward phases, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. This can be attributed to the rapid changes in body size, which can cause them to become temporarily uncoordinated.
