The Teenage Brain

Outline

The Teenage Brain (2015) explains what science has discovered about the developing brains of teenagers and young adults. Frances E. Jensen & Amy Ellis Nutt show why teens can be highly capable learners yet also impulsive and emotional, and how sleep, stress, technology, and risky behaviours affect the growing brain. The book gives parents and teachers practical guidance for supporting young people through these years.

• Science has learned a great deal about how the brains of teenagers and young adults are still developing.
• Teens can be highly capable learners and still be impulsive and emotional, and both traits come from the same growing brain.
• Sleep, stress, technology and risky behaviours each affect the developing brain in ways that matter during these years.
• Parents and teachers can support young people better once they understand what is happening in the teenage brain.
• The book offers practical guidance for helping adolescents through this stage with more insight, confidence and connection.

Frances E. Jensen & Amy Ellis Nutt combine medical expertise with award-winning journalism. Jensen is an American neurologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania who studies brain development and disorders. Nutt is an American journalist and author who shared a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. Together they wrote The Teenage Brain.