Ms. Hedges' Classes

Parenting tips:

Thinking matures:

• Due to their new ability to think for themselves, young adolescents often reject advice from adults. In calmer moments, parents can explain their thoughts and by doing so, are modeling critical thinking.20
• Encourage and model regular exercise for your child since it stimulates new cell growth in the brain and can increase mental abilities 20 to 30 percent.21
  

Paying attention:

The connection between the amygdala and the frontal lobes is just beginning to strengthen. In the meantime, the emotional part of the brain is in the driver’s seat. It’s not the adolescent’s fault that the brain isn't under control, but it is his or her responsibility to get it under control and it is the parent’s responsibility to help.

• Encourage teens to think before they speak or act.
• Be specific about what is tolerated and what is not.
• Do not try to reason in the middle of an argument. Be patient and save the conversation for when things are cool and calm.22

Being forgetful, disorganized, and late for everything are related to the new development and capabilities going on in their brains. Young adolescents can forget immediately what parents or teachers just said to them. Perhaps the most frustrating to adults is the adolescents’ ability to forget homework.

• Find a balance between picking up the slack and letting them suffer the consequences when projects or homework are forgotten at home.
• When your child does remember something important, praise him or her. (Say two praises each day.)23
• Help them keep a calendar and use a school planner.
• Work with your child’s teachers to sign off on the school planner on a daily or weekly basis.
• Eliminate distractions during regularly scheduled homework time each day.
• Be sure to schedule snack and stretch breaks after every 20-30 minutes of focused homework time.

 

For more information go to http://pubs.cde.ca.gov/tcsii/adoldev/adoldev4rec2.aspx#Tips4Parents