Chapter 2 Physical Development
Goal : To develop knowledge and understanding of register used in chapter 2
“Physical Development.
Objective : By the end of the unit, students should be able to:
- Understand what Physical Development is.
- Identify and increase their vocabulary from reading activity
Method : Task-Based Learning
Pre Task: Warming Up
Look at the picture!
(Source: 'Adolescence now lasts from 10 to 24' - BBC News)
Mention the physical differences you know between boys and girls when they grow up!
Boys Girls
Main Task: Reading
The text
Physical Development
Although some of the physical changes that happen
during adolescence are internal and not visible, others can
be seen easily by others. These obvious changes in the body
can affect how adults and peers of both sexes view and treat
young people. The changes that occur both inside and
outside the body during adolescence happen through a
process called “puberty.”
This process stems from the release of certain
hormones (chemicals) in the brain. These hormones released are the same in all adolescents, but
differences in hormone levels lead to different results in males and females. The physical
changes in adolescents shift them from their childhood bodies to their adult bodies and give them
the ability to get pregnant or cause pregnancy. This ability to get pregnant or cause pregnancy is
called “fertility.”
Anyone who looks at an adolescent male and female side by side will see some clear
differences. Still, adolescents of both sexes exhibit many changes in common, most notably,
growth spurts in height and weight. During these growth spurts, bones and muscles get longer
and stronger, which allows adolescents to take on tasks they were likely not able to do as
younger children, such as lifting heavy objects and walking, running, or biking long distances.
Many young people will reach their full adult height by the end of puberty. Beyond the growth
spurts, other physical changes that happen in both males and females include body odor, acne,
and more body hair. As noted, many of the physical changes in adolescence are related to
fertility. Some adolescents may be embarrassed by these changes at first, but they need to know
that they happen to everyone. Consider this short list:
Females Males
Females will see changes in where fat appears Males’ shoulders become broader and their
on their body. For example, breasts become muscles get bigger. The penis and testicles
fuller and hips grow wider. Females typically also grow, and males will begin to experience
experience their first menstruation (or period) erections and ejaculations, both voluntary and
during adolescence. Early on, periods can be involuntary (sometimes happening while
irregular and affected by illness, stress, and asleep). Males’ voices also deepen during this
even exercise. time and may crack during the shift.
Beyond developing fertility, these visible sex-specific changes also let others know that a
person is no longer a child. It is important to note that while the physical changes that
adolescents experience happen to everyone, the timing and order of these changes will vary from
person to person. Many factors can be responsible for differences in the timing and results of
adolescents’ physical changes, such as:
1. Genes
A person’s genetic makeup can affect the timing of puberty and what the changes look
like.
2. Exercise Before and During Adolescence
Overweight females, for example, are more likely to have their first period and
experience breast development at younger ages than their peers.
3. Chronic Illnesses
Conditions such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, diabetes, or bowel problems also can
contribute to delays in growth and puberty because of nutrient deficiencies, toxin excess,
and/or medication side effects.
4. Substance Use
Smoking or using other drugs can harm adolescents’ growth and development. Smoking
can stunt lung growth and make it harder to grow strong bones.
5. Development In Other Areas
Variations in cognitive, emotional, social, and/or moral development also can influence
development.
Here are some ways that parents and other caring adults can support adolescents through
these physical changes:
1. Let adolescents know that what they are going through is normal. Although “normal”
development covers a wide range, even older adolescents (and sometimes, their parents)
are concerned with “fitting in.” Remind teens that despite their concerns, their personal
developmental path is okay, even if it is different from their peers.
2. Encourage adolescents to have a positive view of their bodies. Beyond reassuring that
the timing of changes in the body varies from person to person, parents and caring adults
can help adolescents appreciate their own bodies and developmental experiences.
3. Teach adolescents to avoid drugs. It’s important for parents to talk to adolescents about
how smoking and other drug use can hurt their health and keep them from growing strong
and to lead by example. Check out the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens
website for more information.
(Source: Adolescent Development Explained Chapter 2 “Physical Development”)
A. Answer the following question
1. What is the text about?
2. How many factors can be responsible for differences in the timing and results of
adolescents’ physical changes? Write it down in your own words.
3. Give your opinion about how adults can support adolescents besides the three points
mentioned in the text
Post Task
A. Read the text again and complete the following table. The words in column A all
appear in the text find the opposite words in column B.
No A B
1 Internal Smaller
2 Visible Old
3 Outside Rare
4 Different Vague
5 Easily Hidden
6 Common Light
7 Clear Inside
8 Heavy External
9 Bigger Laboriously
10 Young Similar
B. Read the text again, find underlined words, write its synonym and its meaning
No Words Synonym Meaning
Development Progress An event constituting a new stage in a changing
situation.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
C. Write other new words you would like to find out in the dictionary and in your first
language.
No New Words Meaning
D. Checking Understanding
Write the summary of the text above in 100 words.
