Childhood Development

The adolescent phase of life is the developmental stage where dependent children grow into independent adults. This stage usually occurs between age ten and proceeds through adulthood. The body of an adolescent undergoes a physical metamorphosis and a striking growth develops both intellectually and emotionally (Esman, 2015). In early adolescence, children are able to develop the capacity for abstract, logical reasoning and thus, this sophistication leads to heightened awareness of self, their physical changes in features, which often transforms into self-consciousness (Esman, 2015). Subsequently, adolescence becomes engrossed with their uniqueness and their distinct attractiveness is heightened as they differentiate their appearances from
their peers (Esman, 2015). In continuance, adolescents have the capacity to apply their new reflective capabilities into moral issues. Ideally, this reflection is culminated in development and is internalized as the adolescents’ personal individuality. In other words, adolescents will begin to identify their interests, strengths and weaknesses. Although adolescence is focused on completing school, they also begin to consider career options and strategize their goals. This stage is critical because Adolescence also learn inappropriate behaviors based on environmental factors. Such concerns can impeded their growth and development if parental guidance is not focused on their choices. As perceived, many adolescents will begin to engage in risky behaviors and begin to experiment sexually as well as engage in illegal activities such as drug and alcohol use. Experts suggest that these behaviors occur in part because adolescents tend to overestimate their own abilities of independence (Doyle, 2012). Recent studies of the nervous system have also shown that the parts of the brain that suppress impulses are not yet fully developed (Doyle, 2012).

Environmental Risk and Protective Factors Assessment of growth and development is constantly evolving as scientist continues to explore human development and its complexities.
As parents evaluate their children growth, it helps to establish proper monitoring and shows critical concepts of normality. There are numerous developmental screening tests to facilitate various domains (motor development, cognitions, gross motor, etc.) to ensure proper growth in development. Accordingly, dissimilarity within populations has origins in adverse early experiences, meaning that developmental neuroscience has shown how early biological and psychosocial experiences can disturb brain development (Walker, Wachs, Grantham-McGregor, Black, Nelson, Huffman, Baker-Henningham, Chang, Hamadani, Lozoff, Gardner, Powell, Rahman & Richter, 2011). Wachs at. el, 2011) identified factors of inadequate cognitive stimulation, stunting, iodine deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia as key risks that prevent million of young children from properly attaining normal developmental potential Wachs et al., 2011). Recent research emphasized these risks could potentially strengthen evidence for other risk factors including intrauterine growth restriction, lead exposure, maternal depression, health infections, and exposure to societal violence Wachs, 2011). Sadly, evidence shows risks also resulting from prenatal maternal nutrition, maternal stress, and families affected with HIV and other health infections are emerging (Wachs,
2011).
Overall, risk and protective factors play an important role in the behavioral health and well-being of children and adolescence and can ultimately vary at each stage of development. An early deleterious childhood experience proves to have lasting and measurable consequences later in life. These factors will affect the overall health and well-being according to SAMHSA (2014). Life challenges are associated with adolescence transitioning from childhood to puberty stage and on to young adulthood. This transition can be relatively rebellious, especially for youth who pose with serious emotional or mental health disturbances and or substance use conditions. As stated in incalculable research, adolescence is likely to increase inappropriate sexual behavior, substance use, including alcohol abuse based on environmental and societal factors. Without proper guidance and protective factors being the guiding source, the adolescent population is easily susceptible toward thought-provoking behaviors. Often times, adolescence is seeking comparative interests and will unfortunately adapt to negative environments while searching for commonalities. As observed over many years, peer pressure is intensified during this stage of human growth into young adulthood and therefore, children, youth, and young adults often battle with the desire to be accepted, liked, and included in a group. Thus, the necessity to have this void or acceptance filled, adolescence will become susceptible to peer pressure (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2013).