Pesents a dynamic 4-stage model of adolescent growth that helps parents predict many of the common developmental changes that will unfold. Early Adolescence (ages 9 13.) The function of the first adolescent stage is to accomplish the separation from childhood. The parenting challenge during this stage is to absorb the childs negative response to giving up the comforts of childish ways and to enduring parental restriction of personal freedom, without taking these injured feelings personally...