Monday this week, I attended the annual Colorado Gifted Conference in Denver. It is a great chance to network with other teachers and professionals who work with students like mine. The keynote speaker was Daniel Siegel, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist from UCLA. He shared about the adolescent brain and the important brain development that happens between the ages of 12-24. Here are the key ways the adolescent brain changes during that important time (he uses the acronym ESSENCE):
1. Emotional Spark (ES) - Kids must learn to deal with new waves of emotions and intensity of these emotions.
Why is this necessary? Because emotions get us moving and motivate us to "get out of the nest."
Downside - They don't yet understand how to deal with these emotions and always appear moody.
2. Social Engagement (SE) – Kids are more driven to connect with each other
Why is this necessary? They have to "leave the nest with others or they will be lunch."
Downside - They want so desperately to be part of a peer group, they will give up morality for membership AND their happiness hinges on connection.
3. Novelty (N) – The reward system of brain is controlled by dopamine. At adolescence, dopamine levels naturally fall. Less dopamine means you are bored and seek new things
Why is this necessary? To increase dopamine, you must take risks. This "gets kids out of the nest" where it is familiar and safe.
Downside – They take risks adults think are stupid.
5. Creative Exploration (CE) – The frontal lobe is continuing to mature and allow for abstract reasoning and conceptual thinking.
Why is this important? Kids need to find their place in life and begin pushing against the status quo and seeing things through new lenses.
Downside – They no longer just accept things.
Dr. Siegel has written a book called "Brainstorm" which is written for kids to read to understand how their brain works and understand these processes I mentioned. I bought a copy and now can't wait to read it (and have my own 13 year old read it.) Part of his presentation was sharing that he feels strongly that students starting in kindergarten should learn about brain functioning to help them think about their thinking process and understand how learning works. I know the "Mind-Up" curriculum that our school counselor teaches does this. I am anxious to learn more myself so I can share with my students.
1. Emotional Spark (ES) - Kids must learn to deal with new waves of emotions and intensity of these emotions.
Why is this necessary? Because emotions get us moving and motivate us to "get out of the nest."
Downside - They don't yet understand how to deal with these emotions and always appear moody.
2. Social Engagement (SE) – Kids are more driven to connect with each other
Why is this necessary? They have to "leave the nest with others or they will be lunch."
Downside - They want so desperately to be part of a peer group, they will give up morality for membership AND their happiness hinges on connection.
3. Novelty (N) – The reward system of brain is controlled by dopamine. At adolescence, dopamine levels naturally fall. Less dopamine means you are bored and seek new things
Why is this necessary? To increase dopamine, you must take risks. This "gets kids out of the nest" where it is familiar and safe.
Downside – They take risks adults think are stupid.
5. Creative Exploration (CE) – The frontal lobe is continuing to mature and allow for abstract reasoning and conceptual thinking.
Why is this important? Kids need to find their place in life and begin pushing against the status quo and seeing things through new lenses.
Downside – They no longer just accept things.
Dr. Siegel has written a book called "Brainstorm" which is written for kids to read to understand how their brain works and understand these processes I mentioned. I bought a copy and now can't wait to read it (and have my own 13 year old read it.) Part of his presentation was sharing that he feels strongly that students starting in kindergarten should learn about brain functioning to help them think about their thinking process and understand how learning works. I know the "Mind-Up" curriculum that our school counselor teaches does this. I am anxious to learn more myself so I can share with my students.