2014-07-02
Advice from developmental psychologist Steinberg(Psychology/Temple Univ.; The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting,2004, etc.) on navigating and nurturing the adolescent mind.Adolescence is the great betwixt and between, writes theauthor, a time when kids are both more and less mature than adults think—and wetypically get both wrong—when the brain is undergoing substantial andsystematic changes that will be critical in the maturation process. Steinbergtakes a comprehensive approach as a researcher, parent, participant, observerand scientist. He includes both clinical reports and examples of how theindications of neuroscience play out in everyday life. The mechanics ofadolescent development are fascinating enough—the plasticity of the brain; thereward, relationship and regulatory systems; the genetic and environmentalinfluences on maturation; the tendency toward risk; the interplay between theprefrontal cortex and the limbic system—but this study will be gratefullyreceived by many for its advice on how our increasing understanding ofadolescent development can be put to practical use in helping adolescentsthrough the emotional and behavioral tumult. Steinberg stresses the importanceof self-control, encompassing "the strength of the emotion and our ability tomanage it" and expressed, for instance, through risk taking, the peer effectand impulse control. Parents must provide a variety of things: warmth andfirmness, support and consistency, praise and the freedom to investigate,protectiveness and permission. The author provides techniques to get involvedon all these levels; though not blazingly original, they merit attention:physical activities, mindfulness, identifying endocrine disruptions andhigh-stress situations, fashioning tools to motivate determination andtenacity. Steinberg's audience is as broad as his approach and includesparents, educators, politicians, businesspeople and health care professionals.A clear and canny look into the adolescent brain that willhelp influence adolescent lives for the better.
"This study will be gratefully received by many for its advice on how our increasing understanding of adolescent development can be put to practical use in helping adolescents through emotional and behavioral tumult ... Steinberg's audience is as broad as his approach and includes parents, educators, politicans, businesspeople, and health care professionals. A clear and canny look into the adolescent brain that will help influence adolescent lives for the better." —Kirkus Reviews
"This is a convincing and eloquent call for change." —Publishers Weekly
"Simply the best book I have ever read about adolescence, and I say this as both the father of seven and as a scientist who works in this field. Steinberg guides us through truly novel findings on what happens during adolescence and tells us how, as parents and teachers, we should change our ways." — Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph. D., author of Learned Optimism and The Optimistic Child
"As a mother of two boys and an educator, I am so grateful Laurence Steinberg has written this amazing book. He not only clearly and elegantly communicates the newest insights into understanding teenagers' brains but also shows how adults can manage ourselves when we get frustrated with teens' behavior." — Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabes and Masterminds and Wingmen
"If you need to understand adolescents — whether your own or anyone else's — you must read this book. Steinberg explains why most of our presumptions about adolescence are dead wrong and reveals the truth about this exciting and unnerving stage of life. Written with warmth, lucidity, and passion, Age of Opportunity will fill parents with relief by demystifying their children. Educators and policy-makers should study it carefully." — Jennifer Senior, author of All Joy and No Fun
"I love this book! Steinberg has blended the latest research with his decades of expertise to give us a bold new view of the perils and promise of adolescence." — Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine, and author of Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain
"Clear, evidence-based, and solutions-oriented, Age of Opportunity is the roadmap you need whether you already have a teen or young adult, or are preparing for one." — Madeline Levine, Ph.D., author of The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well
"A fascinating and important book. What every parent, teacher and counselor MUST know about the adolescent brain, its vulnerabilities, and its tremendous possibilities." — Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology, Stanford University, and author of Mindset
"A masterful summary of what science has recently discovered about adolescence. I learned something new on every page." — Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., MacArthur Fellow and Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
"This fascinating book gives us cause for concern, cause for hope and cause for celebration. Whether you're a parent or an adolescent yourself, you should read it. There's information in these pages that could change and improve your life." — Peg Tyre, author of The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve
"Steinberg explains how 'abnormal' adolescent behavior is actually 'normal.' This book belongs on the shelf of every parent, teacher, youth worker, counselor, judge — heck, anyone interested in pre-teens and teenagers." — David Walsh, Ph.D., author of Why Do They Act That Way?
"Based on cutting-edge research and the wisdom of a leading authority in the field, this magnificent book will captivate parents, teachers, policy-makers and adolescents themselves." — Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, Ph.D., Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College, London
★ 09/01/2014
Listen to so-called talk show "experts" or peruse books about family communications and they'll advise asking kids why they did what they did, why they got in trouble, why they acted so irresponsibly. This is the wrong approach, according to Steinberg (psychology, Temple Univ.; Adolescence; Beyond the Classroom). Teens can't know why they do what they do; they can't think about future consequences when they are emotionally charged. So adults need to optimize healthy development of teens, limiting opportunities for potentially risky behavior to take place at all. The brains of 13 through 20 year olds are very malleable, ready to change and learn in positive, supportive environments. Steinberg focuses on aspects that others ignore—e.g., the "reminiscence bump" (how and why we remember distinctly events from adolescence), the extreme importance of self-regulation (motivation), and why high schools must become more academically demanding and less boring. Be warm, he advises; be firm, be supportive. VERDICT Adolescence starts early and lasts a long time. Steinberg's book is fresh and new; essential reading for parents, teachers, and counselors.—Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, PA