Teens
As children grow into their teen years, their brain development provides significant changes both physically, socially, and emotionally, putting them at more specific injury risks. Fortunately, with effective skill training and education both among the teen and parent, these risks are 100% preventable.
Common injuries:
Common injuries:
- Assault/homicide
- Suicide
- Motor vehicle -occupant
- Pedestrian
- Poisoning
Among the most common injuries include assault/homicide, suicide, motor vehicle occupant injury, pedestrian injury, and poisoning. These are all 100% preventable. However, there are skills that parents must do, which for starters is to model positive, healthy behaviors to their children. And this begins early in childhood. As an injury and neuroepidemiologist, I have studied neuroscience at the doctoral level to understand and apply what is known about brain development to improving programs that help reduce the risk of adolescent risky behavior. While our CBI Programs are specialized programs to help parents and teens reduce these risks, there are a few things that parents must know about what happens during brain development during adolescence.
"Smart Drugs" - not helpful!
High school and college students must be aware on the importance of regular physical activity that they enjoy, regular sleeping patterns and proper nutrition to help them get through projects, testing, papers etc. If not, they are at risk of temptation of using "smart drugs". Because their brains are not fully developed until their mid to late 20's using smart drugs has shown to severely damage brain development putting them at an increased risk of memory, emotional and behavioral problems.
High school and college students must be aware on the importance of regular physical activity that they enjoy, regular sleeping patterns and proper nutrition to help them get through projects, testing, papers etc. If not, they are at risk of temptation of using "smart drugs". Because their brains are not fully developed until their mid to late 20's using smart drugs has shown to severely damage brain development putting them at an increased risk of memory, emotional and behavioral problems.
Study Tips
- Study in a regular, comfortable place that is quiet with no distractions
- Study at regular schedules days and times
- Turn off electronic devices - studies show total quiet helps to improve focus, attention and memory
- Take brief breaks of about 5-minutes per every 20-30 minutes of studying. Be sure to stand/walk, stretch and take deep breaths
- Study during daylight, if possible - studies show this can improve productivity by 50%
- During testing, use note cards - when writing down information helps to improve memory
- Prioritize your homework - if you have lots of different homework assignments, do the easier ones first (by estimating how much time each will take) to get more finished. Then move onto the more difficult work that will take longer.
- Once you learn something, review that subject within 24-hours of learning it - this helps to improve memory
- Start homework and studying for testing as soon as possible - never wait!
- Get plenty of sleep by going to sleep at the same time each night by turning down lighting and electronic devices 30-minutes before bedtime
- When testing use note cards to take brief notes - writing improves memory
- Eat more fruits, vegetables and nuts. Decrease fats, salt and sweets. Drink water instead of sweetened or caffeinated drinks
- Get at least 30-minutes of physical activity (that you enjoy such as tennis, running, biking, swimming, etc.) at least every other day
