Page 45 - Waterfall City Issue 12 2022

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

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