*
The Typical Human Brain:
Understanding the cognitive developmental milestones of a typical teenager involves understanding how our brain works in the first place.
1. The amygdala is an almond-shaped mass of gray matter located inside our brain is an emotion generator. It is responsible for generating emotions like fear, anger, anxiety and aggression.
2. The prefrontal cortex (PFC): Is the part of the brain that regulates emotional responses and understands the consequences of the actions we do, is the last one to develop in our brain. In fact, the PFC is not fully formed until 25 years of age.
*
The Typical Teen Brain:
Because the PFC is not fully formed for teens, its unable to regulate their emotions. They seem to have less regard for outcomes.
The part of the brain that’s responsible for the reward system, called striatum releases dopamine that makes them biased towards actions that give them instantaneous rewards and an attraction towards money. The upside to this behavior in teens is they also have the ability to confront new challenges unlike adults who are risk averse.
*
Cognitive Behavioral Milestones For Teens:
• Start to understand concepts like power and influence.
• Question things, don’t take everything at face value.
• Develop the ability to think abstractly.
• Their answers show idealism, criticalness, argumentativeness and sometimes indecisiveness.
• Begin to pay more attention to current news and political climate.
• Want to contribute and value money.
• Begin to pay more attention to decision making.
• Begin to pay more attention to organizing ideas, time and things.
*
How Teens Interpret Mystery:
Communication and connection are very important to a teen as they navigate these delicate years of personal growth and transformation.
When they sense that the adults in their life are not being forthcoming with information, it can lead to a lot of emotional turmoil.
If they sense you’re holding onto something from them, they can find this mystery very confusing. They start to assume that it might have to do something with them and that they might be somehow at fault.
*
Why And What Teens Hide:
Children value learning when caring adults in their life value them for who they are. They thrive in genuine interactions where they feel comfortable to be themselves and where they don’t have to fear judgment.
By creating an atmosphere of trust and openness, we can assure our teens that our attention is a place for them to grow their strengths and be the best version of what they can be.
When teens don’t feel the anchor of safety, they tend to hide things from us. Some of the things teens might hide from caring adults in their life are:
• Their real ambitions
• Porn
• Bad hygiene
• Money issues
• Project procrastination
• Cheating on tests
• Damaging property
• Fights or harassing comments
• Unauthorized usage of vehicles
• Drugs, Juul, Sexual encounters etc.
*
Teenage Stressors and Fears:
Because they like freedom, in their adolescence teens start seeking out independence. Then they realize they have to start meeting expectations and obligations. Soon, they become overwhelmed with responsibilities and start procrastinating.
Of course, procrastination leads to anxiety. And then they start resisting, lying and retrieving into their own shell. It’s a cycle….. Along with the constant anxiety of meeting peer expectations, teens fear a few things, often secretly.
• Someone dying
• Failure at school
• Not doing well in class
• Text anxiety
• Not fitting in
*
What Teens Really Want:
Although our teens seem to be aloof and socially distant with us, it’s part of the persona they learn from emulating their peers. But the truth is:
• They love it when they’re involved.
• They like contributing and making a difference.
• They want to do well.
• They want to have friends.
*
Nurturing Teens and Their Emotional Needs:
Parenting with shame and uncertainty is detrimental to the inner monologue of a teen growing up in the shadow of a parent living self judgement and self-doubt. That doesn’t mean you’ve validate your existence with superficial external perfection.
But, if you don’t humanize yourself to show your struggles and what you’re doing to thrive in your personal life, teens grow up not really understanding life completely.
After all, our deep connection with our children is the only tool with which we can nurture their minds along with putting the plentiful abundance that mother nature offers us to grow their bodies. Let’s start with helping our explore their interests and in turn develop their self-confidence, so they can get ready for the real world with a compelling story to tell.
* * *
About The Article Author:
Our mission with FutureSTRONG Academy – to grow children who respect themselves, their time and their capabilities in a world where distractions are just a click or a swipe away.
I see myself as an advocate for bringing social, emotional and character development to families, schools and communities. I never want to let this idea out of my sight – Our children are not just GPAs. I’m a Writer and a Certified Master Coach in NLP and CBT. Until 2017, I was also a Big Data Scientist. In December of 2044, I hope to win the Nobel. Namasté.
Write to me or call me. Tell me what support from me looks like.
Rachana Nadella-Somayajula,
Program Director & Essential Life Skills Coach for Kids and Busy Parents
Check Out Our Latest In Mindful Parenting!
7 Action Packed Steps To Prepare For Entrepreneurship
* A Path For Successful Entrepreneurship: For many, entrepreneurship is an exciting adventure that can be quite rewarding. But if you’re serious about launching your own business, there are a few essential steps that must be taken to set yourself up for...
The Journey Of Our Life Can Be One That’s Filled With A Purpose. Here’s How To Find It.
* Grounds To Thrive: I keep looking around at those who are on their way to understanding their calling and their true potential in life. It is easy to understand that the pursuit of self-actualization is not possible without the basics in life - safety and...
There Are Two Reasons Why Children And Teens Misbehave. Find Out Now.
* The Underlying Reasons: There are two primary reasons why children misbehave. 1. They want attention. They want to feel recognized and their existence valid. If they are not getting enough nurture or care from their care givers, they don't understand why they...
Are Teenagers Really Narcissistic? Let’s Find Out.
* Teens Or Self Absorbed Hedonists? Teenagers are the most adaptive and private members of any age group. They quickly create and break friendships, join fashions, and demonstrate fierce allegiance to any political or popular ideology. Teenagers adore their...
The Dangers Of Comparison Traps And Helping Our Teens Lower Their Unrealistic Standards
* Choices Vs. Decisions: Usually, the main reason why we don’t like to make a choice quickly is because we fear missing out on the best option available or regretting our choice we make now. Also, how can we choose when we might need everything that is being...
The Complete Resource Guide To Rehab And Recovery For All Kinds Of Addictions
Addiction Rehab And Recovery For Teens, Adults And ParentsQuestions, just ask! Text or Call: 678.310.5025 | Email: info@futurestrongacademy.com Bringing a Group? Email us for a special price!
Aiming For Perfection Takes Us Away From The Now. Learn To Enjoy What Is.
* What Is Perfectionism: Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment and shame. Perfectionism, in psychology, is a personality trait characterized by a person's...
Don’t Give Them Answers. Instead, Ask Powerful Questions To Coach And Lead Your Children.
* Don't Ask Closed Questions: Here are a few questions that require no elaboration. These kind of questions are called Closed questions. Closed questions are usually easy to answer as the choice of answer is typically a yes or no. And we all know that powerful...
How To Help Children Who Are Perfectionists?
* Tell your child they are loved because of who they are not because of who they can become. Encourage them to worry less and try better next time. Explain to them that excellence is a moving goal post and one must a. Inculcate a growth mindsetb. Find...
More Than Violence And Hunger, This Is What Hurts Children Emotionally
* The Still Face Experiment: Years ago, there was an experiment that was conducted by an American Developmental Psychologist named Edward Tronik called the Still Face experiment. Children as young as 1 year old are put in front of their mother who suddenly in...
Students Come With A Lot Of Learning Barriers. Greeting Them At The Door Helps.
* Priming For A Day Of Learning: Many children might enter the classroom with a variety of learning barriers. Some children come hungry, some after facing a tough morning with their bickering parents and some without any supporting resources or caring adults...
A Comprehensive List Of Social, Criminal, Physical and Mental Disorders Due To Tech Addiction
* There are 4 major repercussions of over use of technology. 1. Increase in anxiety.2. Decrease in our ability to attend and focus for extended periods of time.3. Boredom.4. New found ability to be unable to talk to anyone face to face. ~ Dr. Larry Rosen,...
How To Find Optimal Wellness Through Consistent Self-Improvement
* Not Surviving But Thriving: We all want to be our best selves. But how do we get there? It starts with small changes that can make a big difference. Here are some tips for finding optimal wellness through self-improvement. This listicle will sure fire charge...
Strategies and Apps to Help Your Child Master Their Homework Every Time
* Homework Does Have To Be A Chore: As parents, we want our children to be successful and responsible human beings, and we recognize that we must do our part to help them along that path. One area that can be trying for many is getting kids to do their...
A Guide to Addiction and Recovery for African Americans – How Different Cultures Cope
* * * Please call and talk to someone. You ARE precious. * American National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL): Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 to 24. If you're anyone contemplating suicide, please know...
Restoring Proper Neurological Functions Amid The Rise Of Developmental Delays And Neurodevelopmental And Behavioral Issues
* The Rise Of The Anxiety And Aggression: In a recent workshop that I attended, Dr. Erica Basso of Precision Chiropractic, covered some very important topics regarding neurodevelopment and challenges such as ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorder, anxiety...
The Tools Of The Future Are Here – Explore The Generative AI Landscape
Open Your Mind, Grow Your Brain! Hey everyone welcome!Here are some FREE (most of them!) resources that will help you level up in your PERSONAL and PROFESSIONAL life! Build Your Potential. BECOME UNSTOPPABLE!* * * Generative AI Tools: There's not one day that goes by...
The Rule Of The Third – Help Yourself & Others To Progress Instead Of Being Stuck In Perfection
* https://youtu.be/BRJeK9Gkbqw * Want To Listen To The Article Instead? * What Is The Rule Of The Thirds? We all feel this way, one third of our lives, we are feeling great, one third of it, not so much content about how things are,...
Questions, just ask!
Text or Call: 678.310.5025 | Email: info@futurestrongacademy.com
Bringing a Group? Email us for a special price!