A cheerful presentation about the inner workings of the adolescent brain and wat adults should know about it. About planning; about sleeping schedules; about their disarming honesty and their incredible sense of humour.
In 2009, Aletta Smits started giving theater-style interactive presentations about the teenage brain. The Adolescent brain - A Manual was the first presentation she ever gave. While the title has remained the same over the years, the content and stories have evolved.
A guaranteed cheerful and engaging hour and a half, filled with plenty of relatable moments and reassurance. Answers to questions like: Why don't they go to sleep on time? Why can't they get out of bed? Why don't they start their work on time? Why can they magically get up when they're going to an amusement park with friends? And why, oh why, do they always argue?
Through the lens of biology (what is physically different in a teenager's brain?) and evolution (how did teenagers come to be this way?), this presentation offers a lighthearted yet insightful explanation of why teenagers behave the way they do. Some challenges have solutions—we'll discuss those. Others simply require patience—we'll identify those too.
Aletta has given this presentation over a thousand times in different settings: for teachers, parents (in all forms), police officers, judges, truancy officers, military personnel, internship supervisors, and employers of young workers. You're more than welcome to attend as well!
I would like to thank you once again for the incredible evening you shared with us on Thursday. Our parents really enjoyed the event, and I received several messages the following morning expressing how insightful, and entertaining they found your presentation. We are especially grateful for the thoughtful way you tailored your examples to reflect the unique nature of our school community. Your sensitivity and awareness did not go unnoticed—many parents and teachers mentioned how deeply they related to your stories and observations. Although our families come from many different parts of tRotterdam - 2025-04-10
I attended your eye-opening, highly educative, well delivered presentation on The adolescent brain - a manual, at RISS last night. Thank you so much for that.Rotterdam - 2025-04-10
Wat een leuk verhaal en wat heb ik gelachen. Ik was niet meteen enthousiast toen mijn vrouw hiermee kwam. Weer een avond naar gewauwel van een betweter luisteren, maar het tegendeel is waar. We zitten nog steeds te lachen en ik heb het idee dat ik er echt iets van opgestoken heb. Het was leerzaam en omdat het allemaal zo herkenbaar is was het bijzonder vermakelijk. We zijn een hoop wijzer geworden, alvast bedankt namens onze pubers aangezien hun toch al zo zware leven er na vandaag een stuk makkelijker op zal worden 🤣 Complimenten voor de leuke manier van vertellen.Volendam - 2025-04-09
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0203319123 or +31 (0)642832431