Power of the Adolescent Brain

The brain is such a complicated, confusing, yet crucial organ in the body. We all need one to survive and grow, but what we don't always realize is that our brain is growing with us. Chapters 1 and 2 from the Power of the Adolescent Brain shed light on this growth.

Between 5 and 6 years old, 95% of brain volume is complete. By age 10, the volume is fully complete, having reached its adult size. In the past, this was regarded as the point in which the brain had reached maturation, however, in recent years, science has come to show us that is not the case. While the brain may have grown physically to its adult potential, it has not grown to its "mental" capacity. In other words, adolescence is the prime time for brain maturation. In adolescence, two brain systems that are improved are the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex. The limbic system is developed mostly in early adolescent years, while the prefrontal cortex is targeted in the later years. The limbic system is responsible for many functions, some of which include: risk taking, motivation, long-term memory, and impulsivity. The prefrontal cortex, which doesn't fully develop until your mid twenties, is responsible for: decision making, planning, inhibiting impulses, organizing, and self control. 

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After reading this first chapter, I realized how crucial education is for students in this age range, especially middle schoolers. Adolescents have so many needs to be met when it comes to their lives, and the fact that their brains haven't fully developed puts them at a disadvantage. Educators need to adjust their teaching to accommodate the needs their children have at that stage in their development. Chapter 2 discussed neuroplasticity, which is the idea that children's experiences during adolescence shape how they make decisions and how they think for the rest of their lives.

Because these parts of their brains have yet to fully develop and all their experiences are super important, adolescents need extra attention when it comes to their education. The second chapter lists 8 "Brain Friendly" practices for this age group. All of them focus on brain functions that need to be improved. For example, the "opportunities to choose" practice emphasizes the adolescent's ability to make more or less risky decisions in a situation. They are more likely to pick the riskier decision, so this practice encourages them to choose the less risky route. Through making smarter decisions, these kids won't have traumatic or damaging experiences that will influence them for the rest of their lives.