PERSONALITY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Your Personal Growth

Let’s Explore:

Changes are natural. They are nothing to worry about. You are not alone. Everybody goes through them. This way, you will be able to facer the challenges and go through the process of growth and development properly and confidently.

PHYSICAL CHANGES

Many physical changes start to take place during puberty. This is the stage of growing up, when the reproductive system and sexual characteristics begin to develop and become active. Puberty starts a year early in girls than in boys, between 10 to 13 years. For boys it is between 11 to 14.

The physical changes that boys and girls undergo are caused by the increased release of hormones. These are produced by certain organs in the body. Sex hormones become active during puberty. They stimulate growth and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

Changes in Girls:

• The uterus or womb rapidly develops. There is onset of menstruation.

• Development of the breasts• Broadening of the hips and narrowing

of the waist• Setting of body fats on the hips,

chests and thighs

Changes in Girls:

• Broadening of the forehead due to changes in the shape of the skull

• Growth of hair in the pubic area and armpit

• Growth of pimples and blackheads due to hormone changes

Changes in Boys:

• The tone and quality of voice change• Broadening of shoulders• increase in the muscle strength of

arms and legs• Hair growth in the legs and armpit,

on the face, and in the pubic area

Changes in Boys:

• Reproductive organs produces semen• Undergo a minor operation called

circumcision• Growth of pimples and blackheads

due to hormonal changes

Effects of Physical Changes

The physical changes that take place in the body have varied effects on growing boys and girls are the following:

1. One’s body.2. Behavior3. Relationship

Mental Growth and Creativity

During puberty, your brain, along with your sense organs, becomes well-developed: thus, you become eager to learn new things. You want to explore and investigate, and to discover new things because you are becoming more conscious of what you can do, of your environment, and of the people around you.

Social and Emotional Growth

Both boys and girls seek companionship and aspire to be in a group because they yearn to belong. There is a growing awareness and desire to belong in a group than to be alone. This s the time to peer activities and group friendships.

With this desire to belong to a group, there is also the increasing desire to become more independent. You demand more privacy and you start taking care of your personal needs now.

Personality

Each person is unique. No two people are exactly alike, even twins. This means you are someone distinct and different from others.

Personality

This difference or uniqueness is often attributed to personality. PERSONALITY is the totality of a person’s emotional and behavioral characteristics that make him unique.

Let’s Recall:

• Have a sound mind and body. Develop the habit of looking on the bright side of life.

• It is important for you to be aware and to understand the changes that are happening to you.

• To understand yourself and others better, learn about and understand own growth and development first.

Your Physical Appearance

Good Grooming

A person who is well-groomed is pleasing to look at. If you are well-groomed, you will feel at ease and confident about yourself.

To be well-groomed is to keep yourself neat and tidy. Our habits of personal are all part of good grooming.

Keeping the Body Clean

Everyone of us will enjoying outdoor activities. It is part of our social development. Below are some ways to keep your body clean.

1. Bathing2. Skin Care3. Hair Care

Caring for the Body

• Take a short and brisk bath everyday• Apply deodorant on armpits because

you perspire frequently• Wash your face two to three times a

day.• Have plenty of rest and sleep.• Eat adequate and nutritious foods.

Proper Posture

Having a good posture makes one look attractive, confident, and strong. POSTURE refers to the position or bearing of the body. Good posture involves the proper position of one body part in relation to other parts.

We need to have good posture at all times because of the following reasons:

1. It helps to improve one’s bearing and personal appearance.

2. It improves one’s health because it allows you to breathe in more oxygen and have improved blood circulation.

3. It says a great deal about you and enhances your personality.

Let’s Recall:

• A well-groomed person is at ease and confident with himself or herself.

• A well-groomed individuals has a pleasing physical appearance. He looks and smells clean.

Your Clothes and Personal Stuff

Factors to Consider In Choosing the Appropriate Clothes:

1. Clothes appropriate for your age and personality.

2. Clothes appropriate for the occasion.

3. Clothes appropriate for the weather.4. Skin tone 5. Body size.