~ Secrets of the Teenage Brain ~

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Secrets of the Teenage Brain

• Strategies for Reaching Teaching Todays
  Adolescents
• Based on author Sheryl Feinstein book

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Teen Brain gt Under Construction

• The adolescent brain is going under significant
  growth, only comparable to the first 3 years of
  life when complex skills like walking and speech
  are mastered
• Short-term memory increases 30 during
  adolescence
• The activities teens invest their time and energy
  in influence what activities they will do as
  adults

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Neurons

• Neurons are the cells associated with learning
• They are composed of a cell body, dendrites and
  an axon
• Information travels across the synapse between
  neurons

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Stressed Neurons

• Rats which were stressed showed significantly
  fewer dendrites than non-stressed rats
• The lack of dendrites hinders the ability of
  neurons to network with one another and form
  neural pathways

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The Human Brain
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Brain Function
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Use It or Lose It

• During adolescence, there is a massive
  overproduction of neurons
• Neurons which arent used are pruned, and gone
  forever, but those that are used to form neural
  pathways will last a lifetime

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Amygdala vs. Frontal Lobe

• The amygdala is responsible for pleasure, anger,
  fear
• Teenagers rely more on their amygdala than
  adults, who rely more on their frontal lobes
• The amygdala triggers anger, misunderstanding,
  sexual interest, aggression, disorganization,
  emotional language

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Making the World a Better Place

• As the frontal lobes mature, teens are
  increasingly capable of moral reasoning and
  idealism ? teens become less self-absorbed and
  often turn idealism into activism

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Every move you make, every step you take

• The parietal lobes control spatial awareness and
  the fluidity of the bodys movements
• As the parietal lobes mature, the ability to
  become proficient in sport and musical
  instruments is particularly enhanced

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Healthy Body Healthy Mind

• Regular physical activity strengthens the
  cerebellum
• A strong cerebellum is essential for good
  problem-solving
• skills and mental planning

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Brain Based Teaching Strategies

• Set clear, consistent rules
• Set challenges that are positive
• Teach to a range of learning styles and multiple
  intelligences
• Adolescents love novelty

• Individualize the members of your class by
  getting to know each students abilities, talents
  and interests
• Advocate involvement in extra-curricular
  activities, sports and part-time jobs

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Reference
Available from www.thebrainstore.com,
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Questions?