THE
TEEN
BRAIN
TEEN
BRAIN
Did you know the brain’s center for judgment, learning and decision-making (frontal lobe) doesn’t fully mature until the early 20’s, leaving teens especially vulnerable to making quick, often risky, impulsive choices? In addition, the teen brain’s emotional center (amygdala) is not well controlled by the frontal lobe, making teens especially susceptible to peer pressure and more volatile, often prone to unpredictable behavior. Understanding the development of the teen brain and its limitations can help parents make more effective decisions.
THE TEEN BRAIN -- SOME SIMPLE FACTS
For a downloadable tip sheet of basic information on teen brain development, click here.
Also check out The Partnership's excellent A PARENT'S GUIDE TO THE TEEN BRAIN
THE TEEN BRAIN -- SOME SIMPLE FACTS
For a downloadable tip sheet of basic information on teen brain development, click here.
Also check out The Partnership's excellent A PARENT'S GUIDE TO THE TEEN BRAIN
SLEEP, NUTRITION & HEALTHY HABITS
Don't underestimate the importance of healthy habits, such as proper sleep and good nutrition, on adolescents. How much sleep do teens really need?
And how important is nutrition in your adolescent's overall health. Perhaps more important than most parents realize. Check out the Brookline Department of Public Health's Food Day Newsletter for tips, info and recipes. Also, Accredited Schools Online has a new page on Student Nutrition & Wellness worth checking out.
One controversial practice among many teens, especially before prom season, is tanning. Click here for info on how to guide your teens about the dangers of tanning.
OTHER RESOURCES
An excellent new source of information on how the teen brain works and how substance use can have extremely harmful effects is Teen Safe. The 15-minute "course" is well worth taking. For a list of other websites, articles and online videos about teen brain development and how it affects adolescent behavior, click here.
Don't underestimate the importance of healthy habits, such as proper sleep and good nutrition, on adolescents. How much sleep do teens really need?
And how important is nutrition in your adolescent's overall health. Perhaps more important than most parents realize. Check out the Brookline Department of Public Health's Food Day Newsletter for tips, info and recipes. Also, Accredited Schools Online has a new page on Student Nutrition & Wellness worth checking out.
One controversial practice among many teens, especially before prom season, is tanning. Click here for info on how to guide your teens about the dangers of tanning.
OTHER RESOURCES
An excellent new source of information on how the teen brain works and how substance use can have extremely harmful effects is Teen Safe. The 15-minute "course" is well worth taking. For a list of other websites, articles and online videos about teen brain development and how it affects adolescent behavior, click here.