This unit explores significant aspects of adolescent development, behaviours and relationships within the context of teacher education. It builds your understanding of the psychological, emotional, social, cognitive, physical, socio-cultural, and spiritual perspectives of adolescent development and the possible implications for learning. The unit will develop your understanding why young people display different behaviours within a learning environment and how to approach and negotiate these behaviours. You will explore major perspectives of understanding and supporting behaviour and contemporary theories and how these relate to principles, policies and practices. You will inquire into strategies for learning and teaching adolescents based on contemporary knowledge of development and fostering positive behaviour interactions and relationships for diverse learners. You will also develop a broad range of strategies for involving parents/carers and other community service and health providers in the educative process. Topics: + Adolescent physical and brain development and associated factors + Psychological and social aspects of adolescent development + Cognitive aspects of adolescent development + Spiritual and moral adolescent development + Non-Western cultural variations focusing on youth – Australian Indigenous, immigrants, refugees + Environmental pressures on youth and their impact on adolescents development and needs + Dealing with diversity – variations due to development delay, trauma + Dealing with and understanding peer pressure, risk taking and particular issues of ICT + Adolescents’ well-being + Working with Support Services