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What parents should know about
Brain Development
Why is it so important?
By the age of 20-25 , the frontal lobes of the teenage brain will be fully mature and the impossible teenager will turn into a normal person. The frontal lobe is known to be associated with emotions and right or wrong decision making and risk taking.
In early childhood, much of the brain development occurs in the posterior part of the brain. We learn to recognize people and understand more about who they are and how they fit into the world. The memory develops and by the age of 12 our language and our ability to comprehend it is complete. So the brain basically matures from the back to the front, however, that's not to say the frontal lobe isn't functioning. The frontal lobes, in fact, help a child control various functions. It is the higher level skills that take some time to mature. An average 14 year old may not understand consequences of their actions and may have some trouble being organized or plan. Many teens that age act out of their impulses and have many moods.
Just because your teenager has an underdeveloped frontal lobe doesn't excuse crazy risk taking behavior and rudeness. They can learn to control their behavior but it will take more effort. The key to it from the parents' side is to know where to set boundaries, when to insist on mature behavior and when to "pick your battles."
The brain evolved this way for a good reason. Teenagers need to take risks to become more independent and rely on themselves more. At this age, the most important social group for them is their peer group. This is all part of the maturing process. Unfortunately there are substances out there that can affect the maturing frontal lobe. Alcohol and marijuana directly affects the brain's frontal lobe. As more is ingested, the more the teen is unable to see consequences of their actions and takes more dangerous risks. There is research that indicates the more substances that are ingested as the frontal lobe is developing the higher the risk of permanent brain damage.
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