What Is My Middle-Schooler Thinking?

Information to help parents understand how the early adolescent brain is developing and how it effects the thoughts and behaviors of teens. More information available at www.TheParentCompass.com

Transcript

1. What Is My Middle-Schooler Thinking? The Teen Brain: What Parents Need To Know Presented by: Christopher Brown School Psychologist – Licensed Professional Counselor www.TheParentCompass.com Durham and Middlefield Youth & Family Services Present
2. Understanding what teenagers think and do is a puzzle www.TheParentCompass.com
3. Parents are trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together www.TheParentCompass.com
4. The teenage brain does not work the way we expect www.TheParentCompass.com
5. New discoveries about the teen brain provide the hints we need www.TheParentCompass.com
6. Brain research helps solve the puzzle of parenting our teenagers www.TheParentCompass.com
7. The teen years are a time of intense brain development www.TheParentCompass.com
8. The brain develops from back to front www.TheParentCompass.com
9. Basic functions to stay alive develop first www.TheParentCompass.com
10. Language, motor control and memory/learning come next www.TheParentCompass.com
11. Using experience, making decisions, goal setting and thinking comes last www.TheParentCompass.com
12. The wiring of the brain is where most development is focused in adolescence www.TheParentCompass.com
13. The nerve cells get more insulation so they can work faster www.TheParentCompass.com
14. The most used connections become stronger www.TheParentCompass.com
15. Teens have to learn to use this remodeled brain www.TheParentCompass.com
16. Teens have to learn to use this remodeled brain www.TheParentCompass.com
17. The reward centers of the brain are most sensitive in the teen years www.TheParentCompass.com
18. This part of the brain comes fully on-board early in the teen years www.TheParentCompass.com
19. The decision-making section of the brain is lagging behind www.TheParentCompass.com
20. The emotional rush of risk-taking is a priority for the teen brain www.TheParentCompass.com
21. The teen brain is designed to consider risks and rewards differently than adults www.TheParentCompass.com
22. Teens give more weight to potential pleasure than to possible problems www.TheParentCompass.com
23. They understand the dangers, but don’t worry about them like adults www.TheParentCompass.com
24. Social rewards are a primary motivator for teenagers www.TheParentCompass.com
25. Weighing risks this way supported the evolution of our species www.TheParentCompass.com
26. Seeking new experience is not the same as being impulsive www.TheParentCompass.com
27. Finding new friends provides the social support they need in the world www.TheParentCompass.com
28. Tolerating the unknown allows teens to explore new ideas and learn www.TheParentCompass.com
29. This gets the teen prepared to be independent www.TheParentCompass.com
30. The same pattern is seen in all cultures www.TheParentCompass.com
31. We can’t stop biology www.TheParentCompass.com
32. We can cope with the strain and recognize the benefits of this period www.TheParentCompass.com
33. Parents can provide a positive influence for guiding teens’ decisions www.TheParentCompass.com
34. Teens will mature at different rates www.TheParentCompass.com
35. The amount of guidance they need varies www.TheParentCompass.com
36. Being naive can either increase or decrease risk www.TheParentCompass.com
37. Balance maturity with responsibility www.TheParentCompass.com
38. Keeping a positive relationship is important www.TheParentCompass.com
39. Be open to changes in interests and friends www.TheParentCompass.com
40. Expect the relationship to be different and appreciate the growth www.TheParentCompass.com
41. Recognize the strain teens face with decisions and problems www.TheParentCompass.com
42. Parents should set boundaries www.TheParentCompass.com
43. Rules provide a needed structure www.TheParentCompass.com
44. Teens appreciate the security that comes with clear rules www.TheParentCompass.com
45. You have the strongest influence on your child by being present and involved www.TheParentCompass.com
46. Will knowing how the brain works solve the puzzle of your teenager? www.TheParentCompass.com
47. Teenagers have been confusing parents for generations www.TheParentCompass.com
48. Brain research lets us understand why teens do what they do www.TheParentCompass.com
49. We can now see teens as brave explorers rather than confusing puzzles www.TheParentCompass.com
50. Today's parents of teens can put the puzzle pieces together www.TheParentCompass.com