If you are a parent of a teen, it’s time for you to awaken and furnish yourself with as much information as possible about the teen brain, its unique ways of working, the challenges you may face, and the strategies to successfully navigate through this phase.
Though a child’s brain is about 90–95% of adult size at the age of six, it still requires significant transformation before functioning like an adult brain. The brain does not fully develop and mature until the mid-to-late twenties.
While the frontal cortex is responsible for decision-making, unfortunately, it is also the last part of the brain to mature. The limbic system, which is responsible for risk, reward, impulse, and emotion, tends to dominate while the frontal cortex is still under development.
The limbic system develops earlier and faster than the cortex, meaning that until the cortex catches up, the desire for rewards and social pressures often overrides rational thinking (Steinberg, 2007; Galvan, 2007; Casey, 2007).
However, this does not mean that teenagers can never make good decisions, nor does it mean they should not be held responsible for their actions. Awareness about the teenage brain and the reasons behind impulsive, irrational, or risky behaviour can help parents manage situations in a healthy way.
Here are a few things parents of teens should look into:
- Check your leadership style:
Some parents are permissive and provide unrestricted freedom to teenagers, which may lead them to face negative consequences. Children of permissive parents often experience insecurity and guilt because of their inconsiderate behaviour, which may further encourage risky actions.
On the other hand, some parents are highly authoritative and maintain unrealistic expectations, creating unnecessary pressure on teenagers. Children raised in such environments may develop fear, anxiety, rebellious behaviour, and low self-confidence.
Maintaining a healthy balance between these parenting styles can help in raising self-disciplined and emotionally healthy children.
- Develop clear expectations for behaviour:
Be specific about the expectations you have from your children and communicate them openly. Letting them know your expectations regarding academics, discipline, and respectful behaviour helps inculcate responsibility and prepares them to say no to risky behaviours such as substance abuse.
Reviewing expectations regularly can help guide them in the right direction.
- Acknowledge their emotions:
Acknowledging their feelings, needs, and emotions gives teenagers a safe space to understand themselves better. Whether it is anger, sadness, jealousy, or anxiety, recognizing these emotions opens healthy communication and emotional exploration.
- Support healthy brain development:
Promote healthy thinking skills by helping them define problems, explore options, and understand consequences. Encourage empathy and positive behaviour by discussing other people’s perspectives.
Ensure that your child has a comfortable and quiet sleep environment. Healthy brain development also depends on proper sleep, physical activity, hydration, and nutrition. Encourage your child to drink enough water and follow a balanced diet that supports brain health.
Physical exercise is equally important, as it not only keeps the body fit but also helps sharpen the brain and improve emotional well-being.
Author: NANCY G
References:
http://www.practicenotes.org/v17n3/brain.htm
https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/adolescent-brain-development
https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/development/understanding-your-pre-teen/brain-development-teens