Teenage Brain

Find information and resources to help support you and your child on the journey to become a teenager.

Becoming a teenager

The journey from childhood into teen years and then into adulthood is not a simple one. During this time, the brain is changing in ways that might explain why the teen years can be a bit of a roller coaster. Researchers at the University of Oxford looked into what's happening in teenagers heads and why understanding this important developmental period is important.

Learn more about the brain development in teenagers, in this 2minute animation produced by Oxford Sparks

Find out more about, how the teenage brain changes over the teen years at, Brain development in teenagers (Oxford Sparks)

Parent teen communication

Understanding these teen years is something that The Solihull Approach supports with. It is a parenting and relationship-based intervention that aims to improve emotional health and well-being for children and families.

As well as online courses, they have useful insights written by teenagers themselves, and other resources that are helpful in their e-learning resource, In Our Place. Lily age 16 explains the complexity of a teenage brain and why it is normal for teenagers to take risks.

To find out more, visit Togetherness website.

BBC Bitsize, the teenage brain

During the teenage years, so much is changing that it can be a weird, exciting and sometimes scary time. Not only the body changing, the brain is changing too. Understanding a little about the basic science of the brain can help parents and carers to cope with some of the things that teenagers might be feeling.

Visit

BBC Sounds parent support

What makes the adolescent brain different, and why is it that an easy child can become a challenging teenager? BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour - The teenage brain: Seven things parents should know about adolescent behaviour (podcast) talks about risky behaviour and how to limit it with the neuroscientist Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, author of Inventing Ourselves - The Secret Life of the Teenage Brain.

Listen to, Woman's Hour - Parenting: The Teenage Brain (BBC Sounds)

Find out how to stay calm and still to connect with your child as they move into teenage years in this 1-minute video from Place2Be, connecting with my teenager.

For further support, go to

Relationships and sex education

The Start Talking guide will help foster carers with practical tips and advice to have the knowledge, skills and confidence to support the children and young people you care for with relationships and sex education (RSE). It aims to encourage you to have confident conversations with children and young people, and to signpost you to further sources of information and advice.

The guide covers a range of practical issues, from puberty, periods and body hair, to relationships, sex, pornography, young people with learning disabilities and LGBTQ+ and gender identities.

Download Start Talking - RSE a guide for foster care [PDF]

For further support, go to, Teenagers relationships and sex (Family Lives)

Where teenagers can get support

Growing up is a rollercoaster of emotions, with physical and mental changes all happening at once. The teenage years can be tricky to navigate, these services can offer help and sign posting to support for teenager. Helping understand their emotions as they push boundaries and find their way in the world.

NottAlone

NottAlone is a website providing information and mental health support for people of all ages in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Visit Mental Health Support (NottAlone Services For Young People)

Health for teens

The Health for Teens website supports young people aged 11 to 19 with their health and wellbeing. The website features interactive content, films and quizzes written by health experts and includes topics as wide-ranging as exam stress to anger management, and from spots to alcohol. It also links young people to appropriate local health and wellbeing services, supporting young people to manage their health and wellbeing.

Visit Health for Teens (Nottinghamshire NHS)

Young Minds

Young Minds provide young people with the tools to look after their mental health. Supporting to empower adults to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. Young Minds give young people the space and confidence to get their voices heard and change the world we live in.

Visit YoungMinds, (Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People)

Reading Well for teenagers

The Reading Agency has a great resource, Reading Well for teens.It suggests recommended reading and digital resources to help teens understand their feelings and help boost confidence. Teens, health and wellbeing experts, have chosen the books to help manage their emotions and cope with difficult times.

To learn more, go to Reading Well, Teens (The Reading Agency)