Seven Essential Strategies for Working with Teens is a topic
worth sharing. This category breakdown
was presented to me by Amy Parks, executive director of WISE Mind Solutions,
LLC. You can read more about Amy Parks
at www.thewisefamily.com. She weaves the science of brain growth and chemistry
into the growth and development of adolescents. The combination gives a
concrete set of strategies that she and others who work regularly with teens
have seen work. The reason is in the
brain.
- Teach adolescents about their brain. Brain research and science is improving. Teens can learn about the real effects of detriments like alcohol and drugs on the brain. They can understand how strong emotions tie into brain chemistry, which can impact learning. In an overly excited, angry, or stressed state, learning is hampered. New learning connections take root best in a relaxed state. If under too much stress, the brain can't function for learning. Moderate stress facilitates imprinting information, while low stress facilitates recall. A recommended book to share with teens is The Great Brain Book by HP Newquist.
- Don’t take adolescent emotional outbursts personally. Adults should realize that the adolescent brain is undergoing a period of growth. This can lead teens to over-complicate problems. Teens are highly vulnerable to stress, they don’t always read social cues properly, and they can have trouble anticipating consequences. If their emotion overrides their logic, be patient. The good news is that their brains are blossoming as new dendrites grow. New neurological connections are being formed.
- Give adolescents sense and meaning. Memory increases if new information is hooked to something already known. Adults can employ this tool to increase learning for teens. Teens’ memory will be enhanced if they can link new learning to their past experiences and if they can find relevance for themselves in what they are learning. Adults can help foster these learning connections.
- Use the language of the brain. We now know that intellect and talent are not fixed entities. To promote a growth mindset in individuals, studies show that praising effort is effective, while praising ability, because it can be interpreted as “you either have the ability or you don’t”, can shutdown growth. The language used with teens to forward their learning and sense of self should put an emphasis on hard work, love of learning, persistence, and praise of effort. They will come to know later that they are a good athlete, artist, or writer. The goal is motivate them to continue learning.
- Empathy and strong communication skills are important. Teach teens to recognize their feelings and put words to them. Sharing statements such as “I feel…. because…..” teaches knowledge of self and empathy toward others.
- Practice making good decisions in real terms. This can be done by sharing stories of challenges and risks. Teens can brainstorm with you healthy ways to respond. Real practice on thinking through tough situations requiring hard decisions and choices does yield positive results.
- Teach teens stress management fundamentals. Stress hormones can block learning. Nutrition, exercise, play, sleep, and positive life coping skills are all important. Breakfast is important for energy, but a breakfast that includes protein, B vitamins and omega-3 acids is even better to promote learning. The importance of physical activity must be emphasized for good overall health, but it is also correlated with a brain protein active in the communication process between neurons, which ultimately enhances learning and memory. Studies show that teens need 9.5 to 10 hours of sleep. It is important to remember when they are managing busy schedules that 80 percent of memory encoding happens while sleeping. Teens need clubs and activities. They need pro-social peer interactions,and they need to feel a sense of inclusion. They also need to learn how to be around other adults as they transition to adulthood, and they need to be heard.
