If you think your teenage students are very self-centered and think that the whole world revolves around them and their wishes, remember! This is real! This is normal. Adolescent egocentricity is difficult for children to distinguish their behaviors and thoughts from other people's behaviors and thoughts. They have a higher self-awareness because they think everyone is thinking about them and everything is around them.
The typical self-centered ideas of adolescents in the decision-making process include:
- Is this stupid?
- What do people do?
- Will I regret it?
- Will this make me popular?
- Does this make me look stupid?
- Will I be caught?
- What do my friends think?
- What do girls [boys] think?
- Is this worth it?
- Will I get a reward?
- Who is angry?
- Will people laugh at me?
If these are the types of questions that teenagers ask themselves during the decision-making process, it's easier to see why they do so much stupid things, right?
Young people also participate in the so-called "magic thinking." Example:
- I want to hide my parents' progress report. In the next two weeks, I will increase the proportion of 22% to 70%.
- I know that I should use birth control measures. But we just did it a few times, I am a good person, so I will not be pregnant.
- This won't happen to me.
- I know that I can't sing or play an instrument, but I will be a rock star.
I once had a 17-year-old boy who told me that he was not interested in anything happening in the world before birth. He didn't try to be smart - he was absolutely serious. This is the ultimate goal of egocentricism. They saw the world through their own eyes and no one else. Another 18-year-old young man said, "My parents have always told me that I have to share my life. Must I share it?"
This kind of egocentricity is something that every teenager has experienced, but some people will handle it better than others. It is often confused with selfishness, but it is actually very different. Selfish people usually continue to be selfish in their lives. As we age, most teenagers will change their focus on the world and their importance in the world. However, although they are teenagers, this is the way you can expect. So, when they care about themselves, how can you expect to teach them? Simple: Go all out! Well, actually it's not that simple, but it is possible.
For each topic you introduce, you must answer the unanswered question, "What is it for me?" You must provide them with the reason they need this information to do what they care about, or why they are financially or The reason for better understanding of this information in society. If you don't do this, they will not be good at your chances.
In a classroom with children, everyone has the opportunity to think, "Everyone is watching me." You have to create a safe environment or a child, refuse to do anything they think makes them look stupid in front of their peers. Or "not cool" things. Don't underestimate the fear of how young people react to their peers. A school I taught many years ago asked every senior student to give a successful speech in their advanced English class before they graduated. Every year, several students do not receive a diploma because they are afraid to risk standing in front of their peers.
Teachers should always try to create relevance for students when presenting materials. Sometimes it's easier than others, but the initial framework that this material is important to them may be a key factor in whether information is learned and retained.
Orignal From: Adolescent Brain: A Guide for Teachers' Adolescent Egocentricism
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