Teenagers – Don't Blame Them, It's Their Brain

ASK THE EXPERTS by Pete Pullen, Head of School, Eton Academy

Q: Why is my teenager unable to multi-task?  He seems he is only capable of focusing on one task at a time?

A: Your teenager has just backed your brand new SUV into the garage door for the third time.  He explains that he really was paying attention although you saw him on his cell phone as he pulled into the driveway.  He then begins to inform you that he failed his math test because his sister was annoying him the previous night.  Before you can get a word out, he asked to spend the night at his best friend's house to get to the final level of the latest Xbox game.   You don't know whether to scream at him or to call in Super Nanny.

Don't blame him, it is his brain.

Parents across the country struggle with situations like these daily. Parents and teachers alike tend to blame theme for their lack of attention, focus, respect, decision-making ability, understanding or care.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Often, parents and teachers ask teenagers to do complete tasks in a certain way that their brains are not yet fully capable of doing on a consistent basis.

You can help your teenager and yourself by keeping these three scientific facts in mind when working with your teenager. At Eton Academy, we use these important brain reseach findings to better meet the needs of our middle and high school students. Although Eton Academy's mission is to support students with learning differences, many of the methods that we use can help all students.

1. The frontal lobes of the brain are still developing in teenagers.  

Neurologist Frances Jensen at Children's Hospital in Boston found that the frontal lobes are not fully connected.  It is this part of the brain that humans determine whether to act and whether that action is a good idea or not and what might be the consequences of that action.  In the teen brain, the nerve cells in the frontal lobes are still developing the fatty coating called myelin that acts like insulation similar to what is found on coated wiring.  This causes everything that needs to happen in the frontal lobes portion of the brain (organization, judgment, and problem, and planning) to occur more slowly and inefficiently.

Children who are given multi-step directions, asked to multitask or are overloaded with afterschool activities may have difficulties completing the tasks or activities. 

2. The teen brain is not a smaller and younger version of an adult brain.

When teachers (and parents) assume that the brain of a teenager functions like a smaller, but younger adult brain, the teacher becomes frustrated and the student becomes dejected. This is an unrealistic, inaccurate, and unproductive way to approach learning and teaching.

3. Accept That They Really Don't Know Why (The Science of Wisdom)

The teen brain will cause students to do things that cannot be explained.  So when your teenager tells you he really doesn't know why he left his math book at school, even though he has a final exam the next day - believe him, he really doesn't know why.

But now you do. 

Pete Pullen is the Head of School at Eton Academy.  Eton, a nationally recognized independent school, is dedicated to helping students in grades 1-12 overcome specific learning disabilities. Over the past year, Pullen has led Eton Academy through the development of the Eton Approach™, a revolutionary learning system for different learners that combines advanced data collection and analysis with and cutting-edge teaching techniques to personalize learning for each student. Pullen, a veteran educator for over twenty years also serves as the President of the Association of Independent Michigan Schools.

Pullen has a rich and diverse experience as an educational leader. Serving in various administrative roles, he has lead schools and curriculum initiatives at highly competitive prep schools, schools in urban settings, and special needs school. Pete was one of the pioneer teachers in Michigan's philanthropic education initiative.  His recent work at Eton Academy brings 23 years of specialized instruction together with 21st century brain research, creating a learning system that leads to academic success for students with specific learning disabilities. Peter can be reached at Eton Academy at 248.642.1150. To learn more about the Eton Academy visit www.etonacademy.org.The Eton Academy is a member of The Family Center's Association of Professionals.

Save the Date
PARENTING THE MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS
Thursday, May 12, 7 p.m.
Grosse Pointe Academy, Fieldhouse, 171 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.
This annual spring middle school transition program will feature a panel of experts – followed by an open Q & A panel discussion. Pete Pullen will be one the panelists for this special Ask the Experts presentation that will be offered for elementary and middle school students, parents and professionals.
No Fee, RSVP by May 6.

Celebrating a Decade of Commitment to Community Families 2000-2010

The Family Center serves as the community's hub for information, resources and referral for both families and professionals. The Family Center is a non-profit organization founded to promote a deeper understanding of the role of parents and others in supporting our youth to become competent, caring and responsible community members.

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