Understanding What Sets Teen Brains Apart

Adolescence—a fascinating stage of life that includes rapid growth and change. The teenage brain is a work in progress. It is trying to rewire itself from child to adult, an ongoing process. As parents, caregivers, and educators, it’s important to understand their development to help them navigate this critical period.

What Is Changing in a Teen Brain?

The emotional parts of the brain are beginning to change quickly. This allows them to develop empathy, create meaningful relationships, and have a better understanding of their emotions as they feel them. However, because these emotions can sometimes be so intense, teens struggle with regulation.
The logical parts of the brain are also beginning to develop, just not as quickly. Throughout adolescence, teens gradually start to learn about abstract thinking, and can begin to understand more challenging topics.
The brain’s “reward system” is beginning to drive behavior. This means that teens now start to make decisions that get them an immediate reward. It’s stimulating to the brain and feels exciting.

The Brain’s Remodeling Phase

The teenage brain is in a state of reconstruction. During adolescence, the brain goes through a “pruning” process, which means that the brain eliminates unused neural connections to improve efficiency. This reorganization helps teens develop more specialized skills as they transition into adulthood.
The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and planning, is still developing. It’s usually the last part of the brain to mature. Its incomplete development explains why teens often have more emotional responses than logical reasoning.

Heightened Sensitivity to Social Interactions

Social approval plays a huge role in teen behavior. Adolescents can be heavily influenced by peers due to their brains being wired to seek social acceptance and validation. This means that they will say, do, or be anything that they believe will allow them to fit in with others.
Peer influence can have both positive and negative outcomes. Because of this innate desire to be accepted, teens will do just about anything. While peer encouragement can motivate teens to join extracurricular activities, like sports or music, it can also increase engagement in risky behaviors, like substance use or defiance.

Enhanced Learning and Creativity

The teenage brain is in a state of learning and adaptability. Adolescents experience plasticity, which means their brains can quickly form new connections. This adaptability makes it an ideal period for them to learn new skills and knowledge.
Teens often excel at “out-of-the-box” thinking because of their brain’s ability to understand new ideas and perspectives. Encourage teens to express themselves during this time, for it can build confidence and help them develop healthy problem-solving skills.

Stress and Anxiety

Unfortunately, teens are more vulnerable to stress. The young brain is sensitive to the stress hormone cortisol, which teens have a lot of due to the overwhelming development they are going through. Prolonged exposure to stress in adolescence can impact memory and decision-making.
Because of the pressure of social development, academic performance, and skill advancement, teens are also more likely to feel anxiety. They may constantly worry about what others think about them, if they are good or smart enough, or if they are loved and accepted.

How Adults Can Support Teen Development

Create plans for moments of high stress and anxiety. Teenagers are not as good as adults with problem-solving, so they may need some guidance. Help them plan for stressors in their life when they are calm, so that way in times of heightened emotion, they are more likely to make better choices.
Encouragement and understanding can go a long way. Show empathy for their emotions and give them space to talk through their thoughts. Encourage them to take care of themselves and lead them by example.
It may be helpful to sit down with a teen therapist to discuss in further detail ways to best support teen development. Schedule a phone call for more information!