29 May Teen brain is a brain under construction – Dr Jean Clinton

Teen brain

All the confusion I was facing as my seemingly logical 12-year old dissolved into an absolutely incoherent teen became clearer once I heard Dr. Jean Clinton explain how the teen brain develops.

Her explanations were even more meaningful because as she was researching, she was also parenting her own family. As a parent, she brings home the challenge of ‘knowing’ what is happening in a young brain, while watching and living with the reality!

My aha:

That the maturing process resets when teen-brain kicks in. That all the development we watched and videoed when our baby took their first steps, cut a piece of paper, learns to read and write – all that resets when they become teens. It is a time of rediscovery.

Their 0-10 journey led them to gradually learn to trust the circle around them: First Mum.. then Dad and.. siblings .. / Then we broaden to grandparents/caregivers. As the child develops their social skills, they begin to trust and relate to neighbours/friends/then classmates.. teachers .. coaches

All that resets as they become teenagers. Our ‘mature for their age’ 10-year old has to start that trust development all over again. That gradual outreach as they find their place in the bigger world, as they find their own self and own identity.

The teen brain and neuroplasticity

Recent research in neuroplasticity shows that a teen brain is testing, absorbing, developing patterns and frameworks. It is setting the mental models that will be the basis for their later life decision making.

Which makes it crucially important that aside from spending all their time in school gathering IQ facts, they are also offered the opportunity to test their emotions, and develop a healthy portfolio of EQ skills.

Dr Jean Clinton

It changed my expectations of my teens when I heard that. Here is one of many videos. I am curious as to what you will take away from this rich discussion. If she inspires you please reach out for some longer resources that are also very informative.

Care to share?

Do you want to join the discussion? When have your parenting journeys taken a twist? What advice would you offer a new parent?

This is part of a 7-post series on tips that we can offer parents of younger children to help them nurture the Class of 2030 that will graduate into a world very different from our own. It will be richer for your contribution, your personal influences, your discussion.

Other posts in this series of parenting tips for classof2030:

• On Children –  Kahlil Gibran
• Move out of their way – Julie Lythcott-Haims
• Teen brain is a brain under construction – Dr Jean Clinton
• Love you forever – Robert Munsch
• The Wonder of Boys – Michael Gurian