Teenage Years – A Key Milestone in Brain Development
Posted on August 24, 2015 by Maria Boublil, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
Much like the toddler years, the teenage years is another time of significant brain change and development.
We often think of the teenage years as a time of increased physical changes and emotional upheaval. However, this also a time of great changes in the brain. Much like the infant and toddler years, the teenage years mark another milestone in brain development. Scientists have discovered that during the adolescent years, the brain undergoes increased “synaptic pruning”. In other words, the brain strengthens important and frequently used connections, while discarding unnecessary ones. What does all this mean in practical terms? This translates into a time of increased growth and learning.
In a recent interview by the magazine The Brain, Abigail Baird, Ph.D a neuroscientist at Vassar College, referred to the teenage years as a second toddler-hood. She explained that the teenage years, much like toddler-hood receive increased boosts in three key systems:
Language Center – although toddler-hood is a time of verbal language acquisition, teenagers increase their social language. This includes a deeper understanding and expression of non-verbal language as well as slang. This of course, comes as no great surprise to most parents of adolescents who often feel they are speaking another language.
Abstract Thought – much like the “Terrible Two’s” teenagers have an increased sense of understanding there are multiple alternatives and of asserting themselves.
Independence – Teenagers also experience a greater sense of autonomy and need to be self-sufficient.
It is no wonder that with these brain changes, parents and teenagers often find themselves at odds!
It is important to remember that this is a vital stage in human growth and development. A time when teens are able to practice decision making, social interactions, and emotional awareness to help them develop into functioning adults. The key is to provide the appropriate support to help them develop in these areas while not over protecting and causing what Dr. Baird refers to as “Bubble Wrap Kids”.
Providing teens with the skills, tools, and opportunities to grow emotionally, socially, and intellectually during this significant milestone in brain development is critical.
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