Connecting With Your Teen

Family members should take opportunities to broaden the experiences of teens and to help them engage in new hobbies and activities. Positive experiences during the adolescent years will help shape the teen’s self-image and strengthen neural pathways that emphasize behaviors such as exploration and curiosity.

Parents and loved ones can also take a supervisory role in their teen’s life, creating an environment in which the adolescent can safely explore the external environment. Issues such as nutrition, getting an adequate amount of sleep each night and remaining active should serve as the foundation for directing adolescent behavior.

However, parents should allow teens to explore their worlds independently to promote a sense of self-efficacy and self- esteem. Enabling teens to succeed on their own also facilitates the development of neural pathways that will enhance positive emotions and may help prevent the onset of depression.

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