The Amazing Teen Brain
A time of huge opportunities — and risks
Dan Siegal, M.D., provides thoughtful, easy-to-understand explanations of adolescent brain development. He is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. He is also the executive director of the Mindsight Institute, which focuses on the development of mindsight, which teaches insight, empathy, and integration in individuals, families and communities.
Dr. Siegel has published extensively. His book Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain is especially useful for parents.
Dr. Crystal Collier is a counselor and national expert on teen brain development. She spoke to Oregon City parents in 2021 via zoom about teens, risky behaviors, how brains become addicted, and what parents can do. Her book NeuroWhereAbouts: A Neurodevelopmental Guide for Parents and Families Who Want to Prevent High-Risk Youth Behavior can be found at the Oregon City Library in both English and Spanish.
The human brain does not fully develop until the mid-20s. Scientists now know the brain is getting reorganized in a big way during the teenage years.
For teens, not only is the brain still very much in development, but different regions of the brain are changing at different rates, with life-changing consequences.
All the seemingly crazy behaviors of teenagers, they aren’t just there to annoy parents – they might serve a real evolutionary purpose. Not only are the brains of teenagers still developing, but different regions of the brain are changing at different rates, with important consequences . . . and risks.
“Teen users are at significantly higher risk of developing an addictive disorder compared to adults, and the earlier they begin using, the higher their risk. Nine out of 10 people who meet the clinical criteria for substance use disorders involving nicotine, alcohol or other drugs began using these drugs before they turned 18. People who begin using any addictive substance before age 15 are six and a half times as likely to develop a substance use disorder as those who delay use until age 21 or older (28.1 percent vs. 4.3 percent).”
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
Please Contact Pam Wilson for more info on any of the resources below.
Thank you for teaching youth about human brain development. Knowing about their brains may help your students make healthy decisions for years to come!
Oregon City Together provides several fun tools to assist you. All are at no charge to Oregon City schools, Oregon City teachers and Oregon City community partners.
When blown up, the brain is about 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide. It weighs about 45 pounds. It comes in a travel case that fits in most vehicles. The brain is pretty easy to blow-up…it requires an electrical outlet and about 10 minutes to do so. Please email Pam Wilson at pamela.wilson@orecity.k12.or.us if you are interested in scheduling.
Provide the date(s) you want the brain and the length of time you will be using it. If you just know the approximate time period that is fine. An OCT volunteer will deliver it to you. We may be able to pick it up as well but you are responsible for returning it to Eastham Community School by the designated deadline. Scheduling is first-come, first-served.
This educational project is funded with a Clackamas County Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Grant.
These are fun incentives for students learning about brain development. OCT provides them for Oregon City students in grades 4 to 12. Please contact Pam Wilson at pamela.wilson@orecity.k12.or.us and let her know how many you need and by when you want them. They will be delivered to you.
The brain hat form is located in Top Resources for Teaching Kids about the Brain. We have the brain hat forms already printed on cardstock. Request them from Pam Wilson at pamela.wilson@orecity.k12.or.us. State the date you need them and how many you need. They will be delivered to you.
Describing how the brain works to kids
The Human Brain | Educational Videos for Kids
Brain coloring sheets
Already printed and available free to Oregon City teachers and Oregon City community partners. Request from Pam Wilson at pamela.wilson@orecity.k12.or.us. Please state the date you need them and how many you need. They will be delivered to you.
When does it rain brains? During a brainstorm!
Assemblies, presentations and discussions. Oregon City Together sponsored a presentation by Dr. Crystal Collier to Oregon City parents and educators during May 2021. Here is that presentation. She is the author of The Neuro WhereAbouts Guide. This guide is an excellent resource for parents but also great for teachers. The health teachers at both Tumwata and Gardiner Middle Schools have copies of this book. OCT has copies to borrow — contact Pam Wilson at pamela.wilson@orecity.k12.or.us. The Oregon City Library also has copies in English and Spanish.
Collier’s Powerpoint is available upon request from Pam Wilson at pamela.wilson@orecity.k12.or.us.
Talk to Pam if you would like Dr. Collier to speak to Oregon City educators, students and/or parents, and are interested in OCT underwriting the event. Dr. Collier is visiting Oregon City during April 2022 (in-person or zoom) and we would like to “piggyback” as many opportunities as possible.
Neuroscience For Kids – Outside Games
Dr. Crystal Collier’s (see middle school) work is very useful for high school students.
Contact Pam Wilson pamela.wilson@orecity.k12.or.us if you would like Dr. Collier to speak to Oregon City educators, students and/or parents.