Recent research on the human brain provides parents with powerful new evidence to possibly explain the sometimes irrational, illogical, and impulsive behavior of adolescents. Brain researchers can now scan the living adolescent brain to observe and examine why these curious and mystifying creatures make so many impulsive and self-centered decisions, which can sometimes even lead to risky behavior.
It turns out that brain development during adolescence is radically more active and dynamic than previously thought. During these years, the part of the brain that requires a person to make responsible decisions, understand consequences, and process problem solving is under heavy construction and most of the time is dysfunctional. Although the brain is almost physically mature, the gray matter in the thinking part of the brain (prefrontal cortex) is still make connections. So, adolescents keep most of the information that reaches their brains being processed in the emotional part (limbic system).
Information processed in the limbic system, without the benefit of higher-level processing in the prefrontal cortex, can result in impulsive, self-centered, and perhaps even risky behavior. Due to this continuous construction in the thinking part of the brain, many times an adolescent is not able to fully process the information that is necessary to make responsible decisions. Combine this mental challenge with an adolescent’s temperament, maturity level, stage of development, and environmental impact, and you begin to understand why parents can find this time so exhausting and frustrating.
Realizing that important construction is taking place within the prefrontal cortex of the adolescent brain does not excuse inappropriate or irresponsible adolescent behavior. But understanding the adolescent brain is crucial to figuring out how to interact with it. For the teen, this time in her life can be a creative and emotional roller coaster with lots of thrills and chills (and maybe a few spills), but for the parent it can be nerve-wracking and scary. Healthy communication and effective discipline are what a teen needs to navigate this important time, especially since the brain is not yet necessarily ready or capable of facing all the inevitable challenges without support.
Every interaction with a teen will affect their brain development, helping the teen make connections in the prefrontal cortex. During this time of heavy construction, the adolescent brain needs focused and intentional support and teaching to help form and solidify these healthy connections. Parents can benefit from understanding that a lot of work can be done while the teen brain is still under construction, and with the right perspective and effort, a teen can learn to be less impulsive and self-centered and make better, more responsible decisions.
As parents decide how to most effectively communicate with the developing adolescent brain, it is vital to also consider who a child really is and what kinds of parenting styles the child is exposed to. Most of us are the result of an even dose of nature and nurture, and understanding the nature of who a child is and how their environment has affected that child can help parents formulate more effective techniques when dealing with challenging situations during parenting. adolescence. years. years.
The nature of an adolescent is a complex and fascinating combination of temperament, stage of development, personality, level of maturity, and social connection. In addition, parents should consider the adolescent’s emotional health (self-esteem) and relational health (the extent to which the adolescent’s closest relationships have had a positive impact on her development).
And then there are parenting styles. Healthy and effective parenting (described as empowering) can support positive adolescent brain development. Use healthy communication tools such as active listening, reframing, timing of teachable moments, me messages, etc. and effective discipline tools like setting healthy limits, consequences, pick and choose battles, few rules, etc. it can go a long way in helping the adolescent’s prefrontal cortex develop strong connections to enable responsible behavior.
To learn more about understanding the complex nature of who a teen is, how their brain develops and processes information, and to practice new and easy-to-learn healthy parenting tools, visit: ResponsibleKids.net
© 2008 Marty Wolner, BA, CPE, ICF, PACA