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Understanding the teenage brain

Boy holds phone up to friend on basketball court.

If you’ve ever felt that your teenager is sometimes from another planet, you’re not alone. During the teenage years, our brains change quite quickly. This can change our behaviour, the way we deal with emotions, and our relationships.

In a nutshell

The human brain is constantly developing. Simply put, in the teenage years, the part of the brain that controls emotions develops faster than the section that controls impulses. Here’s where the typical teenage behaviour kicks in. The interaction between these two areas of the brain interact during teen years tends to encourage risk taking and peer-to-peer social behaviour.

What else is going on

There are a lot of other changes too. Teenagers are going through a change in the way they see themselves too, from being treated as a child to a young adult making important decisions (study, friendships and work).

Remembering their spark

With the ups and downs of teenage life, remembering their unique talents and interests can make a huge difference in helping them find a positive look on life and see their place in the world. By reminding your child of the things they do and say that amaze you, you can help them see their own worth and help them understand their own identity. Remember, to them it might seem normal and just like everyone else, but by pointing out the skills, personality traits and abilities you can see, you can help them see it too.

Teen brain development

Teen brain development

Last Updated: 22 June 2022