Expert: Teen brains affect their behavior

MUSCLE SHOALS - David Walsh is convinced that teachers can be more effective in the classroom if they have a deeper understanding of not only what makes a child tick psychologically but biologically.

It just may be that the 12-year-old's smart mouth is the result of his brain still developing prefrontal cortex, the impulse control section of the brain that, until recently, scientists thought was mature by age 12. Scientific research now shows that section of the brain continues to mature into a person's early 20s.

Walsh shared the information with Muscle Shoals school system employees during the back-to-school in-service session Tuesday. Classes resume today in Muscle Shoals.

Walsh is the author of nine books, including the national best seller, "Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen." His newest book, "No: Why Kids of All Ages Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It," was the basis for his session with parents in Muscle Shoals on Tuesday evening.

Walsh holds a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota and is founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family.

In his session with teachers, Walsh referred to the complexities of brain function as mental operating systems.

"Every student who walks into your classroom has a mental operating system, and it is important to remember that kids' reactions to you in the classroom is due to that mental operating system," he said.

Walsh explained that there are many forms of memory in the mental operating system. Among them is the working memory that lasts about 10 seconds, long enough to look up and dial a telephone number; explicit memory, where the brain remembers something and recalls details; and implicit memory, which begins before birth and continues throughout life. An example of implicit memory is a newborn knowing its mother's voice.

He called the adolescent brain a work in progress, and said there are many construction zones, mainly the prefrontal cortex.

"While pre-teens and teens can display a gamut of emotions with adults, they reserve the vintage collection for the parents," he said.

As for the spheres of influence among adolescents, Walsh pared them down to society, community and family, careful not to downplay the impact of media on children. According to Walsh's statistics, 68 percent of school-aged children have a television in their bedroom as do 20 percent of babies under the age of 2.

"There are four cultural values: more, easy, fast and fun," Walsh said. "The media tells us we shouldn't have to wait for anything. It's difficult for our kids to learn self-discipline. The goal isn't to say 'no' to kids, but to teach the kids to say it for themselves."

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.