Marvel at the neuroscientific reasons why smart teens make dumb decisions!
Behold the mind-controlling power of executive function!
Thrill to a vision of a better school for the teenage brain!
Whether you’re a parent interacting with one adolescent or a teacher interacting with many, you know teens can be hard to parent and even harder to teach. The eye-rolling, the moodiness, the wandering attention, the drama. It’s not you, it’s them. More specifically, it’s their brains.
In accessible language and with periodic references to Star Trek, motorcycle daredevils, and near-classic movies of the ’80s, developmental molecular biologist John Medina, author of the New York Times best-seller Brain Rules, explores the neurological and evolutionary factors that drive teenage behavior and can affect both achievement and engagement. Then he proposes a research-supported counterattack: a bold redesign of educational practices and learning environments to deliberately develop teens’ cognitive capacity to manage their emotions, plan, prioritize, and focus.
Attack of the Teenage Brain! is an enlightening and entertaining read that will change the way you think about teen behavior and prompt you to consider how else parents, educators, and policymakers might collaborate to help our challenging, sometimes infuriating, often weird, and genuinely wonderful kids become more successful learners, in school and beyond.
The Attack of the Teenage Brain is an entertaining, yet informative read for any teacher or parent of teenagers! The first part of the book presents research about the teenage brain structure and development. Through witty cultural comparisons and allusions, John Medina takes authors through the background of Executive Functioning and its impact on teen brains and behaviors. Medina explains a variety of behavioral interventions as a way to approach conflict-resolution. There is also a section on self-control and its connection teenage behavior. Anyone who has ever taught junior high can definitely relate to this section!
Parts II and IV serve as a guide for for parents and teachers on how to best support teens. These chapters provided detailed guidance on everything from teaching strategies or parenting tips and advice. Medina provides evidence on the importance of exercise and the importance of social emotional learning supports. One of my favorite sections is on the impact of screen time on the developing teen brain! Medina introduces readers to Ned GR8 8 that educators can implement to help teens learn best.
Whether you are a parent or educator of teens, this text has so many practical, research-based strategies to help meet teens where they are at developmentally. There are practical strategies and suggestions to ensure success.
Note: English with Steil is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
