Mod. 7 Play in Adolescence

The years of pre-adolescence and adolescence in a child are some that really start to shape the person for their adult life.  The way a person interacts, works, and play really are very telling of how that person might be as an adult.  The way the person puts value into work and play along with their values, thoughts, believes, passions and interest are all starting to take shape.  These are the years that we form friendships out of our interest.  I remember back in middle and high school playing my cello in orchestra, participating in the color guard, and playing soccer all of which I found friends that shared in my interests as well.  Finding people with the same interests as you brings you together because you are spending time together during the activates, as well as outside of those, in times were we could just "hang out." 

Learning how to balance work and play was also a key lesson of many people's adolescent years.  I didn't personally have a job until my senior year in high school.  People have to work in their adolescent year for a variety of reasons, sometimes their family needs the extra income, sometimes the person may enjoy having their own money, or sometimes it’s enjoyable for the person to work, to have a sense of work ethic.  While working is important and can have many great lessons for children in their adolescent years, I believe it should be done with caution.  As adults we spend the rest of our lives working, and it is important while teaching young teens the value of work, we also teach them to have balance in their lives with "play."  You want them to develop interests, hobbies, and have fun being a kid, while they still can! 

These years so much is changing for these young adults, I think it is importance to keep as positive and supportive for them during these times as possible.  Support as parents, teachers, or other key adults in these people’s lives really makes a difference.  They are starting to navigate adulthood, relationships with the opposite sex, dealing with money, more responsibilities and so much more.  All those things can be a lot to handle, but with help from adults they can learn how best to deal with all of them and keep balance within their lives.  

So if your in your adolecent years, try to enjoy them, rememeber that there is always tomarrow.  If your know someone in their adolence pray for them, love and support them.  What may not be a big deal to you, really is to them!