Thompson Middle School Coffee with the Counselors

1. Thompson Middle SchoolCoffee with the Counselors Why Do They Act That Way?

2. Brain Function: Left Side: Right Side: Language Math Logic • Spatial abilities • Face recognition • Visual imagery • Music

3. Limbic System

4. Encodes new memories Limbic System Amygdala Signals motivationally significant stimuli- Fear Anger Reward Hippocampus Hypothalamus Master control center of the hormone system

5. Hormones Boys 5-7 surges of testosterone everyday 1000% the amount before puberty Regularly overstimulates the amygdala Girls Estrogen and progesterone now present Balance fluctuates with menstrual cycle Can lead to dramatic, sudden mood swings

6. Neurotransmitters Neuron Dendrite Brain chemicals that travel from one neuron’s dendrites to another Reason teens respond strongly to social rewards Reason for their melodramatic reaction to success as well as defeat

7. The area of the brain that seeks pleasure and reward is fairly well-developed early on Teens value reward more heavily than adults If offered an extra reward, teens have shown they can push the executive regions (prefrontal cortex functions) to work harder.

8. Areas of the brain The brain undergoes a massive reorganization between the 12th and 25th years. The physical changes move in a slow wave from the back of the brain to the front.

9. Prefrontal Cortex The CEO of the brain Section of brain that performs complex cognitive functions: Decision making- weighs outcome, forms judgment Behavior- controls impulses and emotion, social interactions, personality Executive Functions

10. Executive Function Determines good & bad Better vs best Same & different Defining goals Predicting outcomes Expectations based on actions Future consequences of current activities Differentiating among conflicting thoughts Social control: the ability to suppress urges that, if not suppressed, could lead to socially unacceptable outcomes

11. Smart kids do stupid things The prefrontal cortex can’t always distinguish between a good decision and a bad one, no matter how intelligent the child is It is the parent’s job to convert the mistakes into learning opportunies

12. Parenting Styles PERMISSIVE Few rules Unstructured environment Endless negotiation Erratic leadership Emphasis on individuality All opinions count AUTHORITARIAN Rigid rules Strict enforcement No negotiation Autocratic leadership Emphasis on conformity Only the parent’s opinion counts STRUCTURED Firm rules Firm environment Limited negotiation Stable leadership Balance Opinions are respected

13. What to do? It is crucial to let the teen know exactly what the consequences will be if they do not comply Make sure you follow through on the consequences

14. DON’T… gbe surprised when our adolescent gets surly gharass an adolescent about every little thing- pick and choose issues that matter gget dragged into power struggles gmake consequences into threats glet your emotions get out of control glet your adolescent get their way by using objectionable behavior

15. DO: gSet clear rules and expectations for behavior gHave the conversation about expectations and consequences when things are calm gSpell out the consequences for noncompliance gHave your child state out loud their understanding of both the rules and consequences gChoose consequences that fit and make sure you can live with them gFollow through on consequences