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Guiding Principles: What the Science Says About Adolescent Development

Adolescence is a time of extraordinary opportunity. The years between ages 10 and 25 mark a period of rapid growth, development, and learning. During this period young people discover and adapt to the world around them, forging their sense of who they are and who they aspire to be. Through relationships and experiences, they learn to make decisions, manage their emotions, and create deeper connections with peers, romantic partners, and people in their communities. With support, they build resilience and develop interests, passions, and meaningful goals that shape their adult lives. Understanding what science tells us about this critical period helps us create the conditions where all young people can thrive – in our families, schools, and communities.

Young peoples’ development is shaped by the dynamic interaction of their biology, relationships, and environments. Supportive connections with caring adults and peers shape brain development and are the foundation of learning and well-being across the lifespan.

The environments where young people live, learn, and play can enable or constrain learning and development. Contexts rich in safety, opportunity, and resources enhance development, while inequitable access to these conditions creates real barriers. Systemic change is needed to ensure the well-being and thriving of every young person, in every community.
Every experience creates and strengthens neural pathways (what fires together wires together), meaning every interaction literally builds the developing brain. This neural plasticity means learning, healing, and positive change are always possible.
Supporting their healthy development means creating safe and satisfying ways to explore their environments and the world and take healthy risks to test out new ideas and experiences.
Development and learning require creating conditions in which young people feel seen, valued, and cared for even and especially when they are struggling. Adolescents need positive ways to earn respect and social status among peers and adults.
Adolescents need experiences that help them define their personal values and goals, explore and develop a positive sense of identity and find meaningful ways to contribute and lead in their families, schools, and communities
Interpersonal, acute, and collective traumas can disrupt adolescents’ sense of safety, impacting how they learn, remember, regulate emotions, and respond to stress, but with the right conditions and support, healing and resilience are possible.
Regulated, supported adults create the conditions where young people can thrive. Adults’ buffering of stress mitigates the impact of trauma and plays a central role in healthy adolescent development. Adults’ experience of trauma and stress can affect their ability to provide attuned support to young people, making adult healing and capacity building critically important to youth well-being.

Adapted from: 

Osher, D., Pittman, K., Young, J., Smith, H., Moroney, D., & Irby, M. (2020). Thriving, robust equity, and transformative learning & development: A more powerful conceptualization of the contributors to youth success. Washington, DC: American Institutes for Research and Forum for Youth Investment.

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent