What Is My Middle-Schooler Thinking?

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

Understanding what teenagers think and do

is a puzzle


Parents are trying to fit the pieces of

the puzzle together


The teenage brain does not work the way

we expect


New discoveries about the teen brain

provide the hints we need


Brain research helps solve the puzzle of

parenting our teenagers


The teen years are a time of intense brain

development


The brain develops from back to front


Basic functions to stay alive develop first


Language, motor control and

memory/learning come next


Using experience, making decisions, goal

setting and thinking comes last


The wiring of the brain is where most

development is focused in adolescence


The nerve cells get more insulation so they

can work faster


The most used connections become

stronger


Teens have to learn to use this remodeled

brain


Teens have to learn to use this remodeled

brain


The reward centers of the brain are most

sensitive in the teen years


This part of the brain comes fully on-board

early in the teen years


The decision-making section of the brain is

lagging behind


The emotional rush of risk-taking is a priority

for the teen brain


The teen brain is designed to consider risks

and rewards differently than adults


Teens give more weight to potential

pleasure than to possible problems


They understand the dangers, but don’t

worry about them like adults


Social rewards are a primary motivator for

teenagers


Weighing risks this way supported the

evolution of our species


Seeking new experience is not the same as

being impulsive


Finding new friends provides the social

support they need in the world


Tolerating the unknown allows teens to

explore new ideas and learn


This gets the teen prepared to be

independent


The same pattern is seen in all cultures


We can’t stop biology


We can cope with the strain and recognize

the benefits of this period


Parents can provide a positive influence for

guiding teens’ decisions


Teens will mature at different rates


The amount of guidance they need varies


Being naive can either increase or decrease

risk


Balance maturity with responsibility


Keeping a positive relationship is important


Be open to changes in interests and friends


Expect the relationship to be different and

appreciate the growth


Recognize the strain teens face with

decisions and problems


Parents should set boundaries


Rules provide a needed structure


Teens appreciate the security that comes

with clear rules


You have the strongest influence on your

child by being present and involved


Will knowing how the brain works solve the

puzzle of your teenager?


Teenagers have been confusing parents

for generations


Brain research lets us understand why

teens do what they do


We can now see teens as brave explorers

rather than confusing puzzles


Today's parents of teens can put the

puzzle pieces together


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What Is My Middle-Schooler Thinking?