This is your brain

The Teenage BrainDr. Suzy Cox, Utah Valley University1How does the brain learn?

Its all in the neurons

How does it work?(aka, stick em up!)

Make a chain (but dont touch!). Make another!

Isnt That Cool?

Puberty = New neurons!

Every brain is unique

It's like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.

Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the WindPathways in different areas do different things

How do these pathways develop as a child grows?

Stop and think:Lack of frontal lobe developmentLots of new neuronsHormonesPhysical changes

Imaginary AudiencePersonal FableAt what age?Average age of frontal lobe development is now..

25-35

Evolution of the brain in a single generation!WHY????And what can you do about it?TV

Immediacy of information

Multitasking

Facebook?

Nutrition

Drugs and alcohol

Sleep!

Lack of exercise

Lack of Challenge

But be careful of overscheduling

Self-esteem movementFear of failure

Negative MessagesIm not good at mathCollege is not for me.Why would I care about politics?I just want to be a mom.Nobody cares what I thinkIm never going to need to write an essayNature Deprivation

There is a positive message here!Think brand new neurons!

Think forming neural pathways!

The teen is an exquisitely sensitive, highly adaptable creature wired almost perfectly for the job of moving from the safety of home into the complicated world outside.

Now is the perfect time to help your child

Thank you!http://www.drsuzycox.com