The adolescent brain - a manual

What Parents, Teachers, and Other Adults Need to Know About the Teenage Brain

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!

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Reviews

Wat een fantastische avond, leek wel een theatershow! Enorm gelachen, maar voelde me ook gezien als ouder. Waardevolle kijk in het brein van een puber. Mijn intentie om dopamine van mijn puber waar mogelijk positief te beïnvloeden! Dankjewel!
Bussum - 2025-03-10
Ontzettend waardevolle inspirerende presentatie! Dank je wel! Ik ging nog met een vraag naar huis: (vergeten te stellen) is dat waarom pubers ZOOOVEEEL snoepen? De aanmaak van dopamine? Groetjes van ook een vroegere Hengelose!
Bussum - 2025-03-10
Enorm energieke presentatie die continue boeide, meer praktische handvatten / voorbeelden om o.a. dopamine aanmaak te stimuleren zouden fantastisch zijn. Dank voor een nuttige en onderhoudende avond!
Bussum - 2025-03-10

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Get the slides for the presentation The Adolescents Brain - The manual

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The adolescent brain - a manual