Page 21 - IFV Issue 12 2022

Today’s Child

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

The Villager • Issue 12 2022 • 19