Inside the Adolescent Brain

The brain … the centre of the chain

The Society for Neuroscience stated that although adolescence is often characterized by increased independence and a desire for knowledge and exploration, it is also a time when brain changes can result in high-risk behaviors, addiction vulnerability, and mental illness, as different parts of the brain mature at different rates. TIME Magazine ran an article called Secrets of the Teen Brain. It stated that the brain undergoes two major developmental spurts in a lifetime. One takes place in the womb and the second takes from childhood through adolescents. It is during the second spurt that the organ matures. The brain develops from the back towards the front. Beginning at the Cerebullum, then the Amygdala, the Basal Ganglia, the Corpus Callosum and then last the Prefrontal Cortex.

 

The cerebullum is thought to be the area that plays a role in physical coordination. It is also thought to be a part of the brain that is more affected by environment than hereditry. The cerebullum supports activities of higher learning, such as mathematics, music and advanced social skills. During adolescents the cerebullum changes dramatically the number of neurons and the complexity between them increases.

The amygdala is the emotional centre of the brain. It is here that fear and and rage live.  Adolescents use the amygdala to process emotional content while adults depend more on the rational prefrontal cortex (which is still underdeveloped during adolescenes).  This may explain why adolescents often react more impulsively than adults.

The basal ganglia acts like a secretary to the prefrontal cortex. It helps prioritise information. It is interesting to note that the basal ganglia is larger in females than males. This area of the brain is also active in small and large motor movements, so it is important to expose preteens to music and sports while it is growing.

The corpus callosum is the problem solving area and creativity. It is here that the bundle of nerves connects the right and left brain together. During adolescence the nerve fibres thicken and process information more and more efficiently.

 The  prefrontal  cortex is the CEO of the brain. This is the last part of the brain to mature. This is the part of the brain just behind the forehead (where I get headaches.) It grows during childhood, but as the neural connections are pruned (adolescence) it beings to shrink.

What is interesting to note is as these parts of the brain develop and strengthen. As you can see below research has shown that while the nerves strength at early adolescences 11 and 12. But during adolescence they strengthen, however to strengthen they need to be used and reinforced. If my understanding is correct this means as educators we need to encourage engagement in all subjects. Students sometimes have preconcieved notions of ability and therefore dislike certain subjects. As teachers we need to try and increase engagment so that they neurons can continue to be used and reinforced.

Another thing that is interesting to note was something Rachael said yesterday about brain research. Feedback for assignments is essential, not just because of learning but because of brain development. Students need to have the full process to fully develop the nerves. If they do not recieve feedback it is like they have only done about 70% of the learning. 

I wonder if students aren’t eating breakfast or are drinking lots of energy drinks … do you think this impacts on brain development?

I wonder if our students even know any of this. I think that being able to understand that your brain is developing and that learning now may help later is an interesting concept. Learning shouldnt be a secret and neither should the reasons as to why we teach things or how you’re brain works…