2. Adolescence
The only thing consistent about
adolescence is inconsistency
The wonder years…
3. Importance
• The ages 10-15 are transitional period for
children from childhood to
adolescence.
• Physical, emotional, social and cognitive
4. • The adolescents are kept in the dark :
– Social conditioning
– Cultural implications
So, they get their information from sources that
are equally ‘incompetent’
5. The adolescent brain
a growth spurt (over-confidence)
a period of pruning (use it or loose it)
Development of Prefrontal Cortex
– information synthesis
– Planning & organization,
– working memory,
– mood modulation
6. Implications
– Meta-cognition - Begin to think about
thinking.
– Sustained learning - Influences learning for
the rest of life.
– Hardwiring - More time for intellectual
activities.
– Risk takers – Innovative, explorers
7. Mirror neurons
• ( in early childhood – baby see, baby do )
• In adolescence – hardwiring built around
‘role models’
8. Circadian cycle
• Melatonin (of pineal glands) – a sleep
regulator, is secreted 2 hrs. later.
• Exceeding sleep needs (9 hrs)
• Sleep deficiency
– Greater Cortisol (a stress hormone)
– Lesser processing of glucose
(obesity & type 2 diabetes)
9. Implications
• Binge drinking
– Blackouts & memory loss
– Violence
– Downward social class drift
– Can drink more, Can be affected more
• Nicotine can permanently damage
Hippocampus
• Cannabis – can have more, more cognitive
memory problems
10. The four L’s of building adolescent identity
• Love and caring
– Make it visible consistently
• Laughter
– Be humorous, share your adolescence
• Limits
– Help set goals and solve problems
• Linkages
– Make healthy connections to the outside world
