Page 31 - FWG December Issue 2022

Today’s Child

will be less able to think before they she adds. “Rather, teach your teenager to Ultimately, the tried and tested ways of
act, consider consequences of actions be responsible and accountable for the parenting will always apply: maintaining
and change dangerous or inappropriate choices they make by getting them to open communication channels; showing
behaviours. In turn, they are more likely to work on solving the problems that arise genuine interest in what your teen is
be impulsive, engage in risky behaviour, in their daily lives.” feeling or going through; and taking
misread social cues and emotions, and the time to help them process their
get into fights. REWARD CONSIDERATIONS challenges.
Increased dopamine activity in teenagers
WHAT TO FOCUS ON means that praise and positive feedback We now know that changes in the brain
When it comes to disciplining your are important. The sooner your child can be shaped by action. This implies
teenager, proceed with care, advises receives feedback, the greater the impact that the more they practise skills such
psychologist Terri Apter. Teens won’t it makes. This is evident when it comes as self-control, emotional regulation
respond well to anger because of to schoolwork. Praising the child for the and establishing a good work ethic, the
their heightened emotional and social hard work they’ve put in will encourage better the outcome will be. The teen years
sensitivity. “Even though it’s tempting to them to engage meaningfully with their can, therefore, set a solid foundation for
shout, this will be counter-productive. work. The positive spinoff is that you’re adulthood.
Your child is so alert to the emotional helping your teenager to make the most of
message that they won’t hear any of the their brain’s ability to absorb and process
logic you’re trying to impart.” information rather than to simply engage www.lifetalk.co.za
in rote learning. Today’s demands on teens
“Grounding or taking away privileges from mean that academic study has to be about
a teenager also serves no real purpose,” actively engaging with the work.

Fourways Gardens • 29 • December 2022