. Strategies for Success PTA meeting January 8, 2013 Susan
Levine Donna Brennan
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Talk about organization and study skills Parents stay with Ms.
Levine Students - go with Ms. Brennan Learn about your childs brain
and how best to help them be successful in school
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If I had a magic wand
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The brain First Brain Reflex brain Basic bodily functions
swallowing, blinking Fight an flight This part of the brain hijacks
the brain under stress At the McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass.,
Deborah Yurgelun-Todd and a group of researchers have studied how
adolescents perceive emotion as compared to adults. The scientists
looked at the brains of 18 children between the ages of 10 and 18
and compared them to 16 adults using functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI). Both groups were shown pictures of adult faces and
asked to identify the emotion on the faces. Using fMRI, the
researchers could trace what part of the brain responded as
subjects were asked to identify the expression depicted in the
picture. The results surprised the researchers. The adults
correctly identified the expression as fear. Yet the teens answered
"shocked, surprised, angry." And the teens and adults used
different parts of their brains to process what they were feeling.
The teens mostly used the amygdala, a small almond shaped region
that guides instinctual or "gut" reactions, while the adults relied
on the frontal cortex, which governs reason and planning. As the
teens got older, the center of activity shifted more toward the
frontal cortex and away from the cruder response of the
amygdala.
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2 nd Brain Feeling Brain This is the part of where emotions
live In puberty the flux of hormones make the lows and highs more
extreme : Teens experience their emotions at twice the intensity of
adults. While you probably dont want to allow your teens emotions
to rule the house, it can be helpful to give them a break and apply
some empathy when emotions are high
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Moody middle schooler Parent Share Expert advice: Try looking
back: Take some time to reflect back on your adolescent years. Try
to remember some of the overwhelming emotions and feelings of
inadequacy you experienced. Although much is the same, todays
adolescent faces complicated situations and pressures we never
thought possible. Find support: One of the most helpful things you
can do for yourself and your teen is to connect with other parents
who are in the same position. You will feel better once you know
you are not alone in this struggle and that your teens mood swings
are typical adolescent development. Consider brain development:
Although hormones get blamed for most of the moodiness adolescents
experience, new scientific evidence proves that brain development
plays a very important role. The last area of the brain to develop
(in the early 20s) is the frontal lobe where impulse control,
judgment, and decision-making lie. The brain has yet to catch up
with their changing bodies. Teach your teen to journal: Your teen
cannot always justify his emotional reactions or tell you why he
feels the way he does. Encourage him to keep a private daily
journal. This will enable him to release some of his emotional
overload and stress in a safe productive way.
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More advice Be accessible: Let your teen know you are available
to talk. Do more listening than talking and try not to lecture or
belittle his experience. Judgment will only alienate your teen, and
he will not be as likely to come to you in the future.
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Dont take it personally: Keep your cool and dont overreact to
your teens tone of voice or words. Calmly remind him that to get
respect he must show respect. Teach him the importance of an
apology and dont hesitate to give one yourself if you need to. Give
plenty of space: Oftentimes parents want to rush in and do
everything possible to help their teen through a dilemma. The best
course of action may be to step back and let him figure things out
for himself. This lets him know you believe he can make appropriate
choices and that you have confidence in his judgment. Praise him
when things turn out well. Watch for serious behavior changes:
Although mood swings are typical dont overlook prolonged
depression, erratic behavior, failing grades or suspected substance
abuse. Be prepared to seek out professional help if needed.
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3 rd brain thinking brain Surrounds the other two parts of the
brain Thinkingknowledge skills..memoryretrieval skillsCONSEQUENCES
Not fully developed until 18-25 When you ask your middle schooler
What were you thinking? They were not thinking!!!!! We need to help
them think look beyond today and at consequences for actions
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What does this mean? Dont have brain maturity LESS LIKELY TO
stay organized Show responsibility Plan Prioritize Evaluate
consequences We dont know the effects that technology will have on
kids Multi task? How do they process it? Do they have to have
graphics? Instant gratification? What are your concerns?
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Tips and tricks Need to learn how to study Need to learn how to
organize Metacognition middle schoolers respond well to learning
how we learn Evaluating self did I learn that ? What should I try
next time? Relate learning to the world of ME Small amounts at a
time with repetition Peer study groups (because you dont know
anything) Choice
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More tips and tricks: Treat your teen with respect. Listen with
your head and your heart. Allow your teens to express their
emotions. Be comfortable exercising your authority and your
flexibility when appropriate. Get help when you need itgetting help
from a professional is a sign of strength, not weakness. Allow
others to play a role; it really does take a village to raise a
child. Secrets to Success in Parenting Your Teen by Sue Blaney t
www.PleaseStoptheRollercoaster.com t
www.ParentingTeensInfo.com
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Ms. Brennan shares for the kids. QUESTIONS?
http://quizlet.com/
