What type of skill is most likely to be fully developed LAST in adolescents and young adults?

Planning is often one of the last skills to be fully developed in adolescents and young adults due to the complexity and cognitive development involved in executing effective planning. It requires not only the ability to foresee potential outcomes and consequences but also the capacity for prioritizing tasks, managing time, and adapting to changing circumstances. This skill is closely linked to several cognitive functions that continue to mature into early adulthood, including executive functions like decision-making, problem-solving, and impulse control.

Emotional expression may develop earlier as adolescents begin to articulate feelings and navigate relationships, while social interaction skills typically improve as peer relationships become more complex. Physical coordination develops in parallel as a result of ongoing physical growth and involvement in various activities and sports. However, planning’s reliance on higher-order thinking makes it a later achievement in the developmental timeline.