It is amazing that the adolescence phase springs surprises though it immediately succeeds that of childhood which is dominated by obedience and total dependence on parents. Suddenly, a child who was dependent on parents and other adults on direction of thoughts and actions is confronted with the reality of taking responsibility of his actions. The child becomes stranded, disordered and insecure. As humans, they manoeuvre their ways to the new obligation. Most are trials which lead to lessons and mistakes; some can be corrected while others can linger for life. Because of the uncertainty of the adolescents' experimental outcomes, parents should be fast in providing necessary information to children before the onset of puberty.Parents should note the growth patterns of children and ensure normal development of physical organs. The defects of internal organs can manifest physically through children's physical and emotional development. Malfunctions of organs will affect the image and behaviour of the adolescent, and parents should not take this responsibility for granted.Due to the rapid development of the organs during adolescence, and the immaturity of their minds, parents should provide guidelines early for life adjustments. Reproductive organs are very essential in humans and they start to develop to maturity during puberty. To avoid abuse of the organs from ignorance, parents and other experts should tactfully teach children the nature and functions of these organs.Adolescents face pressures during puberty because of questions about their identity. The natural transition from dependency on parents to self- independence can also cause conflicts. With the rapid changes taking place within their bodies and the brain, they need help from parents, teachers and other adults. They go through swings of moods, which must be understood by those in position to help them. The information on how to reduce/prevent or remedy the prevalent tendencies in adolescents is the solution to curbing the negative outcomes.Most common and dangerous tendency is depression which if poorly handled can degenerate to negative unbearable conditions. The limitations of the "adolescent's brain" function has been established. It is well publicized in developed world that parents, teachers, and other adults should understand why they do not meet the expectations and demands for managing emotions, handling risks, responding to relationships, and engaging in complex school work or employment. In early- and mid-adolescence, the brain undergoes considerable growth and pruning, moving generally from back to front areas of the cerebral cortex. Parents of adolescents should prepare adequately for this phase.EXCERPTS: Due to the rapid development of the organs during adolescence, and the immaturity of their minds, parents should provide guidelines early for life adjustments. Parents should not consider the size of the adolescents, but rather, should continue with their parental responsibilities. They should guard the adolescents to avoid losing them through one of the risky avenues. Examples are: drugs, accidents, pregnancies and even death.
Margaret Udoh is the Founder of Youth Reformation and Awareness Centre (YRAC) in Nigeria. This organization is an NGO, through which lives have been impacted positively. She establishes literacy clubs in schools to inculcate every requirement for a holistically educated child. She has a publishing house (YRAC Publishing) for children and family books. Margaret Udoh has authored some family and self-development books and manuals. She has granted some interviews to National and International Television stations, Radio Stations and some newspapers and magazines. She also writes into journals, internet blogs and site. She is an Education Consultant for some schools in Nigeria. She assists the Schools' Management Committees in curriculum development, building of school calendar and schedules of termly activities. YRAC has a formidable team that can close any developmental gap in children. For schools, they provide Training workshops for teachers which equip them with the necessary skills for the 21st century classroom success. She gives awareness lectures to parents on issues that harmonize homes and schools, particularly on types of parental involvement and levels and how to create literacy friendly homes. In her younger days as a parent, she was always elected as the president or vice of Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of her children's schools. She has genuine interest and love for children's well-being. This passion led to the establishment of Youth Reformation and Awareness Centre. She organizes weekends and holiday programs for families and children in self- development areas. For academic and behaviour challenges in children, Margaret and her team track and discover the roots by getting the total information of the child's background. For this reason, YRAC children's form is comprehensive, covering information of all areas from birth to date. Parental development activities are inclusive for continuity and feedback. Children should not be made literate for illiterate home environment. YRAC team organizes seminars, workshops and interactive forums for parents. In these audiences, parents are exposed to information from coaching and experiences shared by experts and colleagues. Children are invited to some forums. Margaret coordinates National Council of Child Rights Advocates of Nigeria (NACCRAN) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. Sensitizing children on their rights will raise better future leaders and followers in Nigeria.
