Developing the Adolescent
Provides a discussion on the various aspects of adolescent development: from childhood impressions and family dynamics to a student’s relationship with learning and the psychological benefits of intellectual engagement, to the art of coaching and benefits of mentorship.
Written as a conversation starter, and as an orientation to the work Chestnut State does.
About
I wrote Developing the Adolescent for a number of reasons. The first of which is that the concept of coaching adolescents is rather abstract, so I thought I’d provide some background and insight to help people understand my perspective, how I think, and what I do a bit better.
I also wanted it to serve as a conversation starter, as I touch on a number of important topics that adolescents deal with: confidence, social noise, motivation, family dynamics, the psychology of learning, the cultivation of character through education, and so on. These topics are not easily addressed on a website and require longer form.
Lastly, I hope to make an impact on those I might never work with directly. If this book can help guide others, even in some small way, then the effort was more than worthwhile.
I hope this short read will provide some helpful information that will inspire you to look at adolescence— and our responsibility as a society to adolescents— in a slightly different light.
-David