Kids Are Our Future

How to Motivate Teenagers to Be Their Best

cana — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:35:23 +0000

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. — Winston Churchill”

I like the quote and believe that as human being, we should try our best to be our best. I also want to pass this value to my children and share my thought with those who have same believe.

Needs and Motivators

In Understand Children’s Needs, we discussed children’s basic needs, which are the key motivators including emotional drivers and materialistic motivators. All of them are powerful forms of encouragement.

Some of the motivators:

Health – to stay healthy is a must for one’s life

Happiness – everyone wants to be happy, this is one of the most important emotional drivers

Success – the desire to do something valuable to receive recognition and feel self-fulfillment and increase self-esteem, which are basic needs for a person’s self-awareness. Teens want to succeed in their schools, and gain recognition from their family, school teachers and peers

Love – this is the most powerful emotional need for everyone, no exception for teens, they need love from parents, family, friends etc.

Freedom – People want to control and not to be controlled, teens do not want to be controlled by their parents, they want to be independent

Security –People want be safe and certain at something and no worries, insecure situation lead to teens’ stress

New experiences – people want to know what they do not know, everyone has curiosity

Praise for Effort, not for Innate Ability

Because innate ability is out of our control, I think when comes to motivate ourselves including teenagers, we should stress effort not innate ability. Effort and motivation are crucial to success. Motivating teens to increase effort and try their best to achieve is what I believe, which is one of the most crucial motivators and can be nurtured.

Parents should praise teenagers for their effort, not for their innate abilities. Because by doing so, parents can teach teens with a greater sense of control over their lives and it also leads to improved teens’ study habits and grades. Teens will know they are the important control factor towards their success, therefore work hard and wisely for their goals.

Although certain innate advantages do exist in some children, by educational research calling attention to them is demonstrably unhelpful to achievement. Both children with and without innate advantages benefit from developing a mindset that equates success with effort while are hurt by a mindset that equates success with innate ability.

8 Ways to Motivate Teenagers

I think most of parents agree that the cause of their children’s underachievement in school is often simply a lack of motivation. What can parents do to motivate their teens? Here are some ideas I want to share with you.

Be your teenager’s supporter

Teenagers are different with young kids. A teenager wants to be treated like an “adult”. I think “respecting your teenager “is the key to build a trust relationship between parents and your teens. Parents should give your teenagers as much support as you can, not control but guide your teens.

Expose your teenager to various ideas and areas

Sometimes a teenager lacks motivation because he or she hasn’t yet been exposed to what might be a life passion. Look for different programs, give your teen a chance to try them, and keep an open mind, to help your teen to find his or her interests and passion.

Help your teenager make connection between schoolwork and his interests

Sometimes children lack motivation because they do not see a connection between the work they are being asked to do and their interests and goals. A teenager who wants to be a doctor should know that math and science is important in those jobs. Parents may give examples how these courses help.

Teach your teenager responsibility

Parents should try to make your teenager understand that freedom and power brings along some responsibilities. If your teen wants to make his or her decisions, the teen will have to take the responsibility for them.

Guide your teenager to find his goals

Individuals who have goals are highly motivated because they know what they want and work hard towards the goals. For most of teenagers, they do not know what they want to be yet, they are exploring and trying to find their values and believes and their future paths. They are usually driven by the sheer joy of participating in something they love now, and do not consider them in a long run. Parents should talk to your teens about things they enjoy right now and guide them to find what they believe about their life and set up their goals as soon as they can.

Set high expectations

High standards lead to high performance. If parents set clear goals and expectations for their teens and support them to achieve their goals, the teenagers become successful. This success motivates teens to feel fulfillment and do even better.

Use short-term goals and rewards

Sometimes a teenager gets overwhelmed by a large task and gives up before he or she even begins. Help your teen separate the task into a series of smaller tasks. Make each small task a goal and try to setting an age-appropriate reward for that goal may help.

Help your teenager learn to manage time

When they start school, some children usually had few problems keeping up with school work because they could learn quickly and easily, so they did not get chance to learn to manage their time in order to get work done. After they become teenagers, they face more challenge tasks, they may feel overwhelmed by the work they need to complete and do not know how to set time aside to complete their tasks. Teaching your teenager how to create and use a time-management schedule will be helpful.

Summary

Children are natural learners. Motivating teenagers to try their best and be best of them is the key to achievement. Parents should foster a supportive climate in which you serve as supporter and children have the opportunity to explore and gain their own experience, which help them develop healthily.

Parenting Teenagers [lang_ja]10代の子供の自身だけでなく、親にとっても非常に困難な時期です。10代の子供は子供ではなくて、まだ大人にもなっていない段階です。彼らはチャレンジなコース、仲間からの圧力と変化の激しい感情にストレスをたまっています。この段階に、親は子供に多くのケアと注意を払う必要はあります。１０代という、困難な年頃を生きていく子どもたちを支えるヒントを探しましょう。より良い10代からの子育てを目指して、次のいくつかの記事で議論しましょう。10代の子供の脳の成長は？10代の若者のニーズは何ですか？ 10代の若者に交流する方法は何ですか？どのように子供にストレスを解消する方法を教えますか？栄養と運動について、どのようにガイドしますか？どのように子供に動機づけることができますか？10代からの子育てのガイドは何ですか？一緒に10代からの子育ての方法を勉強しましょう。より良い親になりましょう。[/lang_ja][lang_en]Teenage is a very difficult time...
How to Motivate Kids? [lang_en] By educational research and my personal experience, kids who...
How to Help Teenagers Manage Stress? [lang_ja]１０代の若者は朝8時の太陽のように明るい未来を持つことができますが、彼らはいろいろなストレスをためているかもしれません。特に最近の競争がますます増え、10代の若者は正しくストレスを解消する方法を勉強する必要はあると思います。彼らは自分の将来のパスを考え、自分の社会での位置を探し、時には、不安になったり、戸惑いを感じたりします。ストレスを解消する能力を開発するために、親からの指導と支援を必要としています。 10代の若者は心配していることいまの社会では、いろいろな不確実性で、誰でも心配していることはあります。 10代の若者もいろいろな心配していることはあります。将来成績課外活動体の変化家族の考え友達との問題...

How to Guide Teenagers on Nutrition and Exercises for Staying Healthy?

cana — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:27:45 +0000

Health is the first priority for all of us. Nutrition and exercises are the fundamentals for staying healthy. Nowadays there are more and more overweight and under exercised teenagers. Teaching teenagers how to eat right and exercise become more important, which gives them the motivation they need to make fitness a part of their everyday lifestyle. By staying healthy, teenagers can improve their study effectiveness and a longer and higher quality life span.

Here are some tips for teens to stay healthy.

Healthy eating

By nutrition experts, the nutrient and energy needs of teenagers are higher than those of any other age group. To have a healthy eating habit for teens is a must.

Healthy eating can keep teenagers stay energetic all day long, and help them reach their maximum height and maintain a healthy weight.

Eat regularly

Usually eat 3 meals a day (morning, afternoon, and evening), and snacks when need extra energy. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It will raise teens’ low blood sugar and energy levels in the morning and will keep them going through a busy school day. Remind teens not to skip meals.

Do not over eat

Eat certain amount of food with rich nutrition to meat each day’s nutritional needs, while do not over eat.

Eat a variety of food

Eat food from different food groups, such as vegetables, fruits, breads, cereals, rice, pasta, milk, yogurt, cheese, meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.

A healthy, balanced diet is rich in fruit, vegetable and starchy foods, while contains moderate amounts of fish and/or meat, and milk and dairy food.

Reduce fat and/or sugar intake

It is recommended that foods high in fat, particularly saturated fat, and/or sugar should only be eaten in small amount or infrequently.

Reduce caffeine intake

Too much caffeine can cause headaches, acidity, increased heart rate, blood pressure and insomnia. Caffeine can be found in soda and chocolate, which makes it harder for teens to sleep.

Necessary sleeping

For teens, it is recommended at least sleep 8-9 hours a night.

Regular Exercising

It is recommended to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, and three days a week. Because regular exercise can improve one’s health, well-being including strengthening the heart and lungs and reducing stress.

Vigorous Aerobic Exercise includes sports like football, tennis, soccer, walking, jogging, swimming, and running, etc.

Strength Training Exercise involves using free weights, machines, or one’s own body weight to increase muscle strength and endurance.

Stress management

Teenagers are facing more stress and need to learn stress management skills, which is one of the keys for them to stay healthy physically and mentally. Encourage them to take a break every day to enjoy something.

How does Nutrition Affect the Developing Brain? [lang_en] Brain development is most sensitive to a baby's nutrition...
How to Help Teenagers Manage Stress? [lang_ja]１０代の若者は朝8時の太陽のように明るい未来を持つことができますが、彼らはいろいろなストレスをためているかもしれません。特に最近の競争がますます増え、10代の若者は正しくストレスを解消する方法を勉強する必要はあると思います。彼らは自分の将来のパスを考え、自分の社会での位置を探し、時には、不安になったり、戸惑いを感じたりします。ストレスを解消する能力を開発するために、親からの指導と支援を必要としています。 10代の若者は心配していることいまの社会では、いろいろな不確実性で、誰でも心配していることはあります。 10代の若者もいろいろな心配していることはあります。将来成績課外活動体の変化家族の考え友達との問題...
Parenting Teenagers [lang_ja]10代の子供の自身だけでなく、親にとっても非常に困難な時期です。10代の子供は子供ではなくて、まだ大人にもなっていない段階です。彼らはチャレンジなコース、仲間からの圧力と変化の激しい感情にストレスをたまっています。この段階に、親は子供に多くのケアと注意を払う必要はあります。１０代という、困難な年頃を生きていく子どもたちを支えるヒントを探しましょう。より良い10代からの子育てを目指して、次のいくつかの記事で議論しましょう。10代の子供の脳の成長は？10代の若者のニーズは何ですか？ 10代の若者に交流する方法は何ですか？どのように子供にストレスを解消する方法を教えますか？栄養と運動について、どのようにガイドしますか？どのように子供に動機づけることができますか？10代からの子育てのガイドは何ですか？一緒に10代からの子育ての方法を勉強しましょう。より良い親になりましょう。[/lang_ja][lang_en]Teenage is a very difficult time...

How to Help Teenagers Manage Stress?

cana — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:44:22 +0000

We say teenagers like the sun at 8am, which means they are going to make progress, they are going to have a bright future. However, teenagers do have to know how to manage stress, because nowadays with the increasing competition and increasing distraction, they are under pressure. They are trying to figure out their future path, where they fit into the world, they sometimes feel lost, sometimes become over-anxious; they need parents’ guidance and support to develop stress management skills.

What teens worry about?

In this world with a lot of uncertainty, everybody has worries. Teenagers have no exception. A teen may worry about:

future path
grades
extracurricular activities
body changes
family concerns
friend problems

Because teens are still in the developmental process, they start to face pressure and to learn how to cope it properly, problems even do not look serious from an adult point of view may make them insurmountable. Some teens become overloaded with stress, and can not manage stress well leading to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical or mental illness.

Suggestions to parents

In order to help your teens to manage their stress properly, parents need to watch for their stress overloading carefully.

Monitor your teen closely including his or her health, behavior, thoughts and emotion
Talk to your teen often and listen to him or her carefully
Encourage your teen in making good friends
Support your teen in involving in sports and other extracurricular activities

Guiding teens on stress management

Stress handling is a skill, which is a part of EQ. Teenagers definitely need to develop this basic and key skill to become an adult who faces more stressful world. The following are some of the advice to best help teenagers combat the stressors not only during their high school years but also in their lives.

Encourage teens to exercise regularly

Exercise can re-generate brain cells and make a person feel energetic, and therefore increase one’s self-confidence. It is a great stress reliever and a great habit one needs to have for one’s life towards health, happiness and success. Relaxation exercises such as Yoga, abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation, are recommended.

Encourage teens to eat well

Eating regularly and well, eating nutritious and balanced meals avoiding caffeine and fast-food also can help teens to be healthy physically and mentally towards lowering stress.

Encourage teens sleep well

Sleeping is one of a person’s basic needs. Getting enough sleep for teens is extremely important, which can decrease their stress as well.

Encourage teens to talk

Talking to somebody, such as a family member, a friend, can low stress too. As parents, we want our kids come to us and talk to us, which we need build a very good relationship with them gaining their trust is the key.

Encourage teens to take a break

High school students having challenge courses are very busy these days. Parents should encourage them to take a break from stressful situations when necessary and suggest them to do some things like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, etc., which can reduce stress.

By using these and other positive stress management techniques, teenagers can learn to manage stress and improve EQ, building the fundamental capability in their life.

Parenting Teenagers [lang_ja]10代の子供の自身だけでなく、親にとっても非常に困難な時期です。10代の子供は子供ではなくて、まだ大人にもなっていない段階です。彼らはチャレンジなコース、仲間からの圧力と変化の激しい感情にストレスをたまっています。この段階に、親は子供に多くのケアと注意を払う必要はあります。１０代という、困難な年頃を生きていく子どもたちを支えるヒントを探しましょう。より良い10代からの子育てを目指して、次のいくつかの記事で議論しましょう。10代の子供の脳の成長は？10代の若者のニーズは何ですか？ 10代の若者に交流する方法は何ですか？どのように子供にストレスを解消する方法を教えますか？栄養と運動について、どのようにガイドしますか？どのように子供に動機づけることができますか？10代からの子育てのガイドは何ですか？一緒に10代からの子育ての方法を勉強しましょう。より良い親になりましょう。[/lang_ja][lang_en]Teenage is a very difficult time...
How to Motivate Teenagers to Be Their Best [lang_en]“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is...
What do Teenagers Need? [lang_ja]ほとんどの親は子育てに対して、思春期は一番難しい時期だと思っています。いまの１０代の子供は伝統的な課題だけではなく、仮想世界とグローバル化の増加などによる新しい課題にも直面していますので、彼らは特殊なニーズや困難はあります。親は１０代の子供の体と心を健康に育てるために、子供のニーズを理解しなければなりません。子供の基本的なニーズを満たす上で、これらのユニークなニーズも満たせなければなりません。多くの親は１０代の子供が小さい子と比べますと、あまり世話しなくてもいいと考えっていますが、実際にはそうではないのです。親は自分の青春を思い出して、感情の激しさや不安などを分かりますので、より１０代の子供のことを理解し、良いサポートをします。10代の子供には自己認識は高くなっていますので、自尊心、自己実現、認めて欲しい気持ちと独立など必要になってきます。実際に、 10代の子供は親からより多くの注意が必要です。彼らにはこの時期は親からの精神的なニーズを満たす最も必要な時期です。価値観を立てる 10代の子供は自分がどうのような価値観を持ったら、良いのかを考えっています。抽象的に考えることができ始めましたので、彼らはいままで親や学校から教えてくれたあることに対して、正しいかを考え直します。彼らは様々な実験をして、新しい経験を模索しながら、自分の価値観を確立していきます。例えば、新しい服、髪型、友達と課外活動など。１０代の子供は親や学校からの影響を受けますが、最終的に彼らは自分で自分の価値観を決めます。自分を探している 10代の若者は子供の段階から若い大人に成長していく段階にいますので、彼らは自分が誰だと考え始めて、その答えを見つけたいですので、いろいろなことを試して、自分と自分の将来の発展方向を探しています。...

How to Prepare the SAT Subject Test SATII

cana — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:44:41 +0000

What is the SAT II?

The SAT II is also called SAT subject test, which is a set of more than 20 different tests focusing on assessing students’ specific areas such as English, History, Social Sciences, and Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Each subject test is an hour long and consists entirely of multiple-choice questions, except for the Writing Test, which includes a 20-minute essay section besides a 40-minute multiple-choice section.

Why Take the SAT II?

Most selective colleges usually require students to take one to three SAT Subject Tests. Even if some colleges do not require SAT subject test scores, the student can boost his or her application by taking subject tests.

Just like SAT I, SAT II also is thought as important indicators of the students’ ability to succeed in college. Colleges use students’ scores to help them make admissions decisions, and or make placement decisions. For example, SAT II scores may also be used to decide what course of study is appropriate for the student once admitted.

When Should Take the SAT II?

Students can take a SAT Subject Test at any test time during high school years. Many students take Math Subject Tests in the fall of their senior year. For other tests, like sciences and languages, it is recommended to take right after the student finish related courses.

How is the SAT II Scored?

One subject test scores 200 - 800.

What SAT II Subjects Are Offered?

Twenty tests are offered in five subject areas including:

English: Literature
History and Social Studies: US History, World History
Mathematics: Level 1, Level 2
Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Languages: Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Spanish

How to Register?

www.collegeboard.com

What is the Difference between SAT II and SAT I?

Unlike the SAT I Reasoning Test, which is designed to measure how well students read and think rather than what they know. SAT II Subject Tests evaluate knowledge of a particular subject area. The main purpose of SAT II is to determine exactly what the students know about writing, math, history, chemistry, and so on.

What SAT II Subject Tests should a Student Take?

Confirm with the requirement of the colleges you are applying. In the same time choose the ones you are good at if possible.

SAT II Prep Strategies

Using sample tests for practice

Because the format of the SAT II remains unchanged, students can learn how the tests are set up in advance by using the sample practice tests. For example, when taking a test, students can just look through quickly the instructions without spending a lot of time on them.

Start from what you know

Start from what you know, and skip what you do not know, if you have time, go back work on those you skipped. In SATII tests, questions are arranged by order of difficulty, and hard questions are worth the same points as basic ones.

Be careful about distraction

When working on basic problems, the obvious answer is likely to be correct, while close to the end of a test section, which becoming more difficult, the student need think more carefully because the obvious answers may be wrong. Some distraction answers, which are wrong answer choices deliberately design to entice the student and test your solid knowledge.

Guess wisely

SAT II has a guessing penalty. If the student can eliminate one or more answer choices as definitely wrong, it is recommended to use guessing. By more practice, students can eliminate several answer choices on some questions.

Be very careful on your answer sheet

It is extremely important not to make mistakes on filling out your answer grid. Here are some suggestions to help students avoid this kind of mistakes.

Always mark the questions you skip on your booklet and answer grid
Always mark the answers you choose on your booklet, and check your grid against your booklet

Use these strategies and tips as you prepare for your SAT II.

How to Prepare for PSAT? [lang_en]What is PSAT? PSAT stands for Preliminary SAT(Scholastic Aptitude Test...
How to Prepare for ACT [lang_en]What is ACT? The ACT (American College Test) was developed...
How to Prepare for SAT? [lang_en]What is SAT? SAT stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test and...

How to Connect with your Teenagers?

cana — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:09:35 +0000

We know that parenting teenagers is tough, because they are usually rebellious, challenging adult values, experimenting with new roles, even taking risk actions resulting in consequences on the rest of their lives. Some parents feel unable to reach their teenagers although they want to help their teenagers. We think that to build a strong positive relationship with your teenagers is a key to guide them through the adolescent years.

Understand your teenager’s needs

Due to teenagers’ brain is still in developmental process, they have special needs especially on mental needs. They need parents’ love, respect, forgiveness, support and guidance.

There are many reasons parents and teens argue. One of the reasons is that adolescents can not “read” facial expression correctly. Teenagers often interpret their parents’ worried expression as anger, and then they respond to what they perceive as anger leading to fighting with their parents.

Communicate with your teenager

Parents and your teenagers should have the freedom to ask questions, and answer those questions honestly, in order to build trust, and communicate effectively.

Parents should listen to your teenagers with an open mind. At this point in their lives, listening is more important than talking to them. Keep discussion open by giving factual information, and plan for a follow-up discussion to take care of loose ends.

Set limits for your teenager

Children need boundaries, like teachers to set homework deadlines to discipline teenagers, parents need to set rules and limits on study, chores, bedtimes, TV/computer time and regular schedules, which all are tools to teach teenagers self-discipline and care for others.

Give your teenager appropriate freedom

Allow your teens to take responsibility when you see them handling it well. If they demonstrate responsible use of money, consider and respect their ideas on how money is to be spent. Give privileges and responsibility with age accordingly.

Parents should help your child understand that freedom and power brings along some responsibilities. If they want to make their own decisions, they will have to take responsibility for them, and to be able to take responsibility needs capability. Encourage them to proactively make their own decisions based upon the facts rather than reacting to their emotions.

Be a mentor for your teenager

Tell your teenagers your own values while allow them test their values and develop their own ones. Make a list of things you like about your teens and tell them. In the meantime, set a consistent example for what you value and give permission for your teenagers to develop their own “philosophy of life.” Guide them, not manage them.

Become best friends with your teenager

On one hand, teenagers are “toddlers with bigger bodies”, you have to be parents for them, and on the other hand they are also “young adults”, you have to be a friend of them as well as.

Respect your teenagers and see them as friends and accept them as young colleagues, in order to understand them well. Praise them when they are doing well, encourage them when they are facing obstacle and be there for them if they need your help. Forgive them and guide them if they made mistakes. Respect their privacy. Spend time with your teens enjoying activities they like.

How to Motivate Teenagers to Be Their Best [lang_en]“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is...
What do Teenagers Need? [lang_ja]ほとんどの親は子育てに対して、思春期は一番難しい時期だと思っています。いまの１０代の子供は伝統的な課題だけではなく、仮想世界とグローバル化の増加などによる新しい課題にも直面していますので、彼らは特殊なニーズや困難はあります。親は１０代の子供の体と心を健康に育てるために、子供のニーズを理解しなければなりません。子供の基本的なニーズを満たす上で、これらのユニークなニーズも満たせなければなりません。多くの親は１０代の子供が小さい子と比べますと、あまり世話しなくてもいいと考えっていますが、実際にはそうではないのです。親は自分の青春を思い出して、感情の激しさや不安などを分かりますので、より１０代の子供のことを理解し、良いサポートをします。10代の子供には自己認識は高くなっていますので、自尊心、自己実現、認めて欲しい気持ちと独立など必要になってきます。実際に、 10代の子供は親からより多くの注意が必要です。彼らにはこの時期は親からの精神的なニーズを満たす最も必要な時期です。価値観を立てる 10代の子供は自分がどうのような価値観を持ったら、良いのかを考えっています。抽象的に考えることができ始めましたので、彼らはいままで親や学校から教えてくれたあることに対して、正しいかを考え直します。彼らは様々な実験をして、新しい経験を模索しながら、自分の価値観を確立していきます。例えば、新しい服、髪型、友達と課外活動など。１０代の子供は親や学校からの影響を受けますが、最終的に彼らは自分で自分の価値観を決めます。自分を探している 10代の若者は子供の段階から若い大人に成長していく段階にいますので、彼らは自分が誰だと考え始めて、その答えを見つけたいですので、いろいろなことを試して、自分と自分の将来の発展方向を探しています。...
Parenting Teenagers [lang_ja]10代の子供の自身だけでなく、親にとっても非常に困難な時期です。10代の子供は子供ではなくて、まだ大人にもなっていない段階です。彼らはチャレンジなコース、仲間からの圧力と変化の激しい感情にストレスをたまっています。この段階に、親は子供に多くのケアと注意を払う必要はあります。１０代という、困難な年頃を生きていく子どもたちを支えるヒントを探しましょう。より良い10代からの子育てを目指して、次のいくつかの記事で議論しましょう。10代の子供の脳の成長は？10代の若者のニーズは何ですか？ 10代の若者に交流する方法は何ですか？どのように子供にストレスを解消する方法を教えますか？栄養と運動について、どのようにガイドしますか？どのように子供に動機づけることができますか？10代からの子育てのガイドは何ですか？一緒に10代からの子育ての方法を勉強しましょう。より良い親になりましょう。[/lang_ja][lang_en]Teenage is a very difficult time...

What do Teenagers Need?

cana — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:32:31 +0000

Most of parents agree that adolescence is a developmental phase fraught with challenges, yet beyond the traditional challenges of that life phase, nowadays, teenagers face unique demands and difficulties. Dilemmas such as increased virtual world and globalization pose problems not only for the teens themselves, but also for their families, schools and communities.

In order to help teenagers to develop physically and mentally, parents should not only meet the basic needs as mentioned in the Understand Children’s Needs but also respond to these unique needs of teenagers.

Though parents often regarded teenage years as a carefree time compared with the period of young kids, parents should look back on their teenage years and recall how tumultuous and uncertain adolescence can be. This may help parents to be prepared to react to teenagers with support and understanding. With teenagers’ self-awareness increase, they need self-esteem, self-fulfillment, recognition and independence. In fact, teenagers need more attention from their parents. This is a time they need their parents to meet their mental needs the most.

Test Value and Build Personal Value

Adolescence is the key stage of life when teenagers begin to decide which values they want to use to guide their lives. Being able to think abstractly, they are capable of questioning the values by which they have lived so far. They test the values passed by their parents, schools by doing various experiments and seeking out new experiences, for example, new clothes, hairstyles, friends and activities.

Most children during adolescence will ultimately decide their values for themselves, although their parents and schools have impact on them.

Seek out Identity-Who am I?

Teenagers are trying to leave childhood behind and grow into young adults. They start to think who they are, and try to find the answer. Much of their confusing behavior is a result of their attempts to develop their identity.

Look for Acceptance

Acceptance or recognition is a basic need for everyone, teenagers need for acceptance as well. For example, whatever your teenager’s opinion is, you should be willing to listen to him or her even if you do not agree with him or her. You have to think in the way he or she is thinking and avoid judging him or her right away. You can also show acceptance by providing encouragement rather than criticism, which not only builds your teenager’s self-esteem, but also helps motivate him or her to make efforts.

Give and Receive Affection

Teenagers have a need to give affection and to receive it. Help them coping with emotions are very important. Parents should tell them that everyone has feelings like disappointment, sadness, anger, joy, excitement and to express these appropriately to other people is the key.

In addition, parents should show unconditional love to their teenagers in whatever situations; even they disappointed you, did not respect you, and even angered you, because they need their parents’ love and feel secure. When they failed a class at school, they need encouragement from their parents instead of lecturing. A child is never too old to need a loving family.

Want Independence

Teenagers have passed the relatively calm years as kids but they are not into the adult years yet. They struggle to figure out where they are in life and who they are. They are thinking about their future and trying to find answers. They are preparing for being independent.

If parents treat and educate their teenagers just same as treat and educate their young kids, the teenagers will complain that parents lecture to them, and they become rebellious. They usually mess up being independent with being rebellious.

Take “Risk-taking” Action

The teenage stage is the fun, memorable and exciting stage in the entire life cycle. In this stage the curious teenagers experiment everything without caring about the consequences. The result of their activities gives them the basic knowledge of the real world.

Live in Virtual World

Because of the popular use of the internet, teenagers now live in the digital virtual worlds as well. Teenagers are using internet, blogs, Podcast, online videos to learn and submitted electronic homework. However, a lot of teenagers spend a lot of time at online gaming, and chatting in social networks, facing negative impact from the web as well. Nowadays, for teenagers, there are jus too much distraction from studying.

Face Globalization

Globalization has impact on education as well, which raises fundamental issues and profoundly altered people’s experience of both formal and informal education. Schools and colleges face dynamic changing all over the world. Some people even feel that the true tutors of our children are not school teachers or university professors or parents but online and offline filmmakers, advertising executives world wide.

Struggle with the Gap of Dream and Reality

It is in their teenage years, teenagers step out of fairy tale books and step into reality of the world. They start to observe and experience the difficulties in the real life and realize the gap between their dream and reality. Some of them feel stressful; some are working hard towards their dream.

Deal with Pressure

It is true that a teenager is a child old enough to understand to worry about uncertain situation. Peer pressure, challenging courses, expectation from family, all these become stressors to teenagers. Sometimes, they feel overwhelmed and become depressed, which result in their fluctuating moods and erratic behavior. They really need parents support and guidance.

Need Guidance and Limits

Teenagers need parents to provide limits, because they can be inconsiderate. Too much freedom causes insecurity. Although teenagers thought they could take care of themselves, they really needed a loving family, as well as a lot of guidance to steer them onto a better life path.

Discuss with teenagers on rules and guide them how to deal with conflict. As long as parents set some limits, parents should allow your teenager to make their own decision, encourages your teenager to take some responsibility in order to prepare for independence.

Need More Information

In addition to the basic needs which all teenagers have, parents need to provide to teenagers some other information, for example, need to teach teenagers about money and how to use it efficiently, need to provide information on their school subject choices, sexual matters, social skills and information on their future career.

For parents, to figure out what teenagers need from their parents and to know how to provide it is very crucial to guide teenagers. Those parents who handled their children successfully when they were younger, may encounter parenting problems if do not know their teenagers’ needs. Learn about the development of teens’ brain, and try to meet the needs outlined here. Parents will achieve better and effective parenting to help their teenagers develop to succeed.

Parenting Teenagers [lang_ja]10代の子供の自身だけでなく、親にとっても非常に困難な時期です。10代の子供は子供ではなくて、まだ大人にもなっていない段階です。彼らはチャレンジなコース、仲間からの圧力と変化の激しい感情にストレスをたまっています。この段階に、親は子供に多くのケアと注意を払う必要はあります。１０代という、困難な年頃を生きていく子どもたちを支えるヒントを探しましょう。より良い10代からの子育てを目指して、次のいくつかの記事で議論しましょう。10代の子供の脳の成長は？10代の若者のニーズは何ですか？ 10代の若者に交流する方法は何ですか？どのように子供にストレスを解消する方法を教えますか？栄養と運動について、どのようにガイドしますか？どのように子供に動機づけることができますか？10代からの子育てのガイドは何ですか？一緒に10代からの子育ての方法を勉強しましょう。より良い親になりましょう。[/lang_ja][lang_en]Teenage is a very difficult time...
Parents’ Guide to the Teen Brain [lang_zh]过去，我们以为青少年的情绪和举动“不正常”的原因是因为他们的荷尔蒙，或态度，或者是因为他们需要独立。但是，通过研究人员使用核磁共振仪（ MRI ）后，发现青少年的大脑与成人的大脑不同，青少年的大脑仍然在发育阶段。通过学习青少年大脑如何发育成长，家长可以了解青少年的行为，如冲动，叛逆，高涨的情绪和冒险行为等，都是“正常”的青少年的行为，以便家长可以正确引导混乱和令人沮丧的青少年时期，并更好地指导青少年健康成长。科学家发现人类的大脑需要25年才能充分成熟。利用核磁共振仪（ MRI ），研究人员可以看到大脑是如何实际运作的。在执行某项任务时，大脑使用哪些部分的能源。例如，研究发现，当人使用视觉时，大脑的特别部分“发亮“。过去的研究者认为人在五到六岁的儿童期，基础大脑的结构就已定型。事实上，那时大脑只有百分之九十五的结构已经形成了。Giedd博士和他的同事发现，大脑前额皮层是在青春期之前（ 11岁的女孩，...
How to Help Teenagers Manage Stress? [lang_ja]１０代の若者は朝8時の太陽のように明るい未来を持つことができますが、彼らはいろいろなストレスをためているかもしれません。特に最近の競争がますます増え、10代の若者は正しくストレスを解消する方法を勉強する必要はあると思います。彼らは自分の将来のパスを考え、自分の社会での位置を探し、時には、不安になったり、戸惑いを感じたりします。ストレスを解消する能力を開発するために、親からの指導と支援を必要としています。 10代の若者は心配していることいまの社会では、いろいろな不確実性で、誰でも心配していることはあります。 10代の若者もいろいろな心配していることはあります。将来成績課外活動体の変化家族の考え友達との問題...

Parents’ Guide to the Teen Brain

cana — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:12:17 +0000

We used to think that teenagers respond “not normally” because of their hormones, or attitude, or because they simply need independence. But when adolescents’ brains are studied by researchers through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it was found that they actually work differently compared with adult brains. Teenagers’ brain is still in the progress.

By learning how adolescent brain development, parents can understand the teens’ behaviors, such as impulsiveness, rebellion, high emotions and risk-taking, which are “normal” teenage behaviors, so that parents can guide the confusing and frustrating teen years and teens’ behavior and personalities as they get older better.

By scientists, the human brain takes 25 years to fully develop. With the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers can see how the brain actually functions, what parts of the brain use energy when performing certain tasks. For instance, research found that the particular part of the brain “lights up” when performing a visual task.

It was thought at one time that the foundation of the brain’s architecture was laid down by the time a child is five or six. In fact, 95 percent of the structure of the brain has been formed by then. Dr. Jay Giedd at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Md., together with colleagues found that an area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, appeared to be growing again just before puberty(age 11 in girls, 12 in boys). The prefrontal cortex acts as the CEO of the brain, which is responsible for complex judgment and decision-making, such as controlling planning, working memory, organization, and modulating mood. It was observed, as the prefrontal cortex matures, teenagers reason better, develop more control over impulses and make judgments better.

It was found that the frontal cortex gives adults the ability to distinguish a subtlety of expression. For the teens, this area wasn’t fully operating. That’s a possible reason to explain that the teenage years seem so emotionally turbulent, and the teens seem to be misreading the feelings on the adult’s face.

Reactions, rather than rational thought, come deeper in the brain, than the frontal cortex, some neuroscientists suggest that an immature brain leads to impulsivity, or “risk-taking behavior.”

Jay Giedd and his colleagues’ research confirm what other neuroscientists have outlined over the past 25 years that different parts of the brain mature at different times. In particular, it has shown that the frontal cortex of human beings matures relatively late in a child’s life.

Some researchers argue that the idea that adolescents are difficult because their frontal lobes aren’t mature is one we should be very cautious of. We all know there are adolescents that are hard to get along with. However, there are adults with mature frontal areas that are hard to get along with for the same reason. In addition, there are very young children who seem to have no problem with this. Very immature brain structure, yet results in very sophisticated behavior. Therefore, moving from structure to function, deciding what behavior is caused by what part of the brain is much more complicated.

Besides a few well-defined sensitive periods for certain types of vision, hearing, and first-language learning, the brain is capable of growth well beyond the first few years of life. It is found that an important part of the growth is happening just before puberty and well into adolescence.

Brain Development [lang_en] How well brain develops by age 6 determines a...
Parenting Teenagers [lang_ja]10代の子供の自身だけでなく、親にとっても非常に困難な時期です。10代の子供は子供ではなくて、まだ大人にもなっていない段階です。彼らはチャレンジなコース、仲間からの圧力と変化の激しい感情にストレスをたまっています。この段階に、親は子供に多くのケアと注意を払う必要はあります。１０代という、困難な年頃を生きていく子どもたちを支えるヒントを探しましょう。より良い10代からの子育てを目指して、次のいくつかの記事で議論しましょう。10代の子供の脳の成長は？10代の若者のニーズは何ですか？ 10代の若者に交流する方法は何ですか？どのように子供にストレスを解消する方法を教えますか？栄養と運動について、どのようにガイドしますか？どのように子供に動機づけることができますか？10代からの子育てのガイドは何ですか？一緒に10代からの子育ての方法を勉強しましょう。より良い親になりましょう。[/lang_ja][lang_en]Teenage is a very difficult time...
Guide Kids by Their IQ [lang_en] As parents, we want to know our children, what...

Parenting Teenagers

cana — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:25:58 +0000

Teenage is a very difficult time for kids themselves as well as their parents. The kids no longer remain kids and they are yet to become adults. Challenge courses, peer pressure, and the emotions make them stressful. During this time, in order to guide teenagers, parents need to connect with them, pay much care and caution.

In order to achieve better parenting, we would like to discuss several topics in the next posts. We will start with the development of teens’ brain, then move to figure out what are teenagers’ needs? How to connect with teenagers? How to help them handle stress? How to guide them on nutrition and exercises? How to motivate them? How to be a good parent to guide teenagers to success?

Let’s learn about teenager parenting together and be better parents.

What do Teenagers Need? [lang_ja]ほとんどの親は子育てに対して、思春期は一番難しい時期だと思っています。いまの１０代の子供は伝統的な課題だけではなく、仮想世界とグローバル化の増加などによる新しい課題にも直面していますので、彼らは特殊なニーズや困難はあります。親は１０代の子供の体と心を健康に育てるために、子供のニーズを理解しなければなりません。子供の基本的なニーズを満たす上で、これらのユニークなニーズも満たせなければなりません。多くの親は１０代の子供が小さい子と比べますと、あまり世話しなくてもいいと考えっていますが、実際にはそうではないのです。親は自分の青春を思い出して、感情の激しさや不安などを分かりますので、より１０代の子供のことを理解し、良いサポートをします。10代の子供には自己認識は高くなっていますので、自尊心、自己実現、認めて欲しい気持ちと独立など必要になってきます。実際に、 10代の子供は親からより多くの注意が必要です。彼らにはこの時期は親からの精神的なニーズを満たす最も必要な時期です。価値観を立てる 10代の子供は自分がどうのような価値観を持ったら、良いのかを考えっています。抽象的に考えることができ始めましたので、彼らはいままで親や学校から教えてくれたあることに対して、正しいかを考え直します。彼らは様々な実験をして、新しい経験を模索しながら、自分の価値観を確立していきます。例えば、新しい服、髪型、友達と課外活動など。１０代の子供は親や学校からの影響を受けますが、最終的に彼らは自分で自分の価値観を決めます。自分を探している 10代の若者は子供の段階から若い大人に成長していく段階にいますので、彼らは自分が誰だと考え始めて、その答えを見つけたいですので、いろいろなことを試して、自分と自分の将来の発展方向を探しています。...
Wrong Parenting Leads to Bad Results [lang_ja]子育てと子供の教育は最も重要な仕事で、親の長期的な努力は必要です。今の社会では、小学生でも携帯電話でインターネットを使って、簡単に大人のバーチャルワールドに入ることができますので、子供の教育はますます困難になっています。全ての親は良い親になろうと努力していますが、一部の親はかなり頑張っていましたが、良い効果は出ませんでした。なぜですか？ここで、一緒に議論してみましょう。アメリカでは良い親になるための研究が何十年にも続けられていますので、心理学者と教育者は一分の親がよく使う子育てと子供の教育する方法は正しくないと認識し、科学的に証明しました。完璧子供は大人と同じように時々に間違います。世界中では完璧の人間はいません。子供に完璧まで要求しますと、子供の健全な発展を阻害しますし、親も精神的に負担をかけ、不幸になることを感じます。あまりにも厳しい一部の親は子供に規律のある人間を育てたいですが、使っている子供の教育する方法はあまりにも厳しいです。親は良い親になるための原則を守るべきですが、適切な柔軟性を持つことも重要です。ポジティブな面からやり方を考えたほうが良いです。一部の親は子供の良い行動を無視しますが、子供が何かちょっと良くないことをやりましたら、すぐ怒ってしまい、子供をたくさん叱ります。罰を与えすぎ調査と研究の結果によると、子供は何か悪いことをした時に、親は子供に罰を与えすぎる場合は多いです。子供に適切な罰を与えることによって、子供に教育することができますが、罰を与えすぎますと、子供は後悔することから親に憤りと不満の態度に変わりますので、逆効果になります。できるだけポ...
Parents’ Guide to the Teen Brain [lang_zh]过去，我们以为青少年的情绪和举动“不正常”的原因是因为他们的荷尔蒙，或态度，或者是因为他们需要独立。但是，通过研究人员使用核磁共振仪（ MRI ）后，发现青少年的大脑与成人的大脑不同，青少年的大脑仍然在发育阶段。通过学习青少年大脑如何发育成长，家长可以了解青少年的行为，如冲动，叛逆，高涨的情绪和冒险行为等，都是“正常”的青少年的行为，以便家长可以正确引导混乱和令人沮丧的青少年时期，并更好地指导青少年健康成长。科学家发现人类的大脑需要25年才能充分成熟。利用核磁共振仪（ MRI ），研究人员可以看到大脑是如何实际运作的。在执行某项任务时，大脑使用哪些部分的能源。例如，研究发现，当人使用视觉时，大脑的特别部分“发亮“。过去的研究者认为人在五到六岁的儿童期，基础大脑的结构就已定型。事实上，那时大脑只有百分之九十五的结构已经形成了。Giedd博士和他的同事发现，大脑前额皮层是在青春期之前（ 11岁的女孩，...

Understand Children’s Needs

cana — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:07:34 +0000

To understand children’s needs is must for good parenting. Only we as parents understand children’s needs, can we help children in a positive way and meet their needs as possible as we can, which leads to effective parenting.

Needs are demands of the body for physical and psychological well-being. We can category them into four groups.

For a person, if some groups of needs are not met, the person dies. People must have water and food to be alive. The satisfaction of other needs makes people’s life rich and fulfilling. Curiosity drives kids to investigate their surroundings and adults to become astronomers to explore the universe.

The four groups of basic needs are the following.

Physical needs for surviving

For example, people need air, water, food, sleep, shelter, clothing, and safety.

Children need fresh air, clean water, nutritious food, sufficient sleep and safe environment.

Social needs for mental health

For example, people need to be loved and to love, to feel a part of and to include others.

Children need be loved by their parents, need to play with others, need to show their love to others.

Curiosity

People want to know what they do not know.

Encourage children to explore and to act in a manner appropriate to their ages.

Self-awareness

Anybody needs self-esteem, self-fulfillment, and recognition etc. to realize one’s existence and value.

Help a child develop sense of self as a person of value and competency. Encourage the child to learn and praise his right behavior, abilities and accomplishments.

How to Maximize Children’s Learning Ability [lang_zh] 通过最大限度地开发孩子的学习潜力，孩子会感觉到成功的快乐从而增强他们的自信心，激发他们学习的热情并使孩子勇于接受各种挑战，茁壮成长，在学校成为一名优秀的学生并为成功于全球社会而做好准备。使用以下积极的教育方式，家长能正确指导和紧密配合孩子的学习过程，就会提高孩子学习的动力改善孩子的学习成绩。关键是要帮助孩子建立和保持渴望学习的激情。了解孩子的智商（智力商数），唤醒孩子的天赋，充分利用孩子的天赋，并鼓励他用有独特性和创意的办法去解决问题，培养他的长处。具体方法请参考根据孩子的智商（IQ）引导孩子. 了解孩子的学习阶段和学习方式，以支持他的独特的学习过程，提高各方面的能力，并帮助他成为一个有很强的自我管理能力的好学生。了解孩子的性情，并协助孩子发展他的情感管理及社交技巧，以帮助他成为一个有好的社交能力和情绪管理能力的孩子，取得高情商（情绪智力）。 [/lang_zh][lang_ja]子供の能力をできるだけ伸ばすために、最大限に子供の学習能力を開発する必要があると思います。それによって、子供は成功の喜びを感じ、自信を高め、勉強へのモチベーションを上げ、いろいろな挑戦を受ける勇気を持ち、学校で優秀な学生になり、グローバル化社会での成功を目指して準備することができるようになります。前の記事で紹介した方法で、親は子供の学習プロセスに密接に協力し、子供の勉強のモチベーションを向上させ、子供の学業成績を上げます。子供に勉強の楽しさを教え、勉強への熱意を持たせ、維持することが鍵です。以下、まとめ。...
Understanding Children’s Learning Stages [lang_ja] 子供の知能の開発は脳の発達と密接に関係していますので、子供にはさまざまな学習の段階はあります。私たちは知っているように人間の脳は青年後期また成人早期（一部の男性）まで、完全に発達します。沢山の親は子供が大人のように考えって、問題に対処するのを期待していますが、これは間違っています。なぜならば、一部の少女と少年は身長が親より高くても、脳の発達はまだ進行中ですので、まだ子供です。親は特定の年齢の子供に現実的な期待を持つべきです。子供を正しく指導するために、親は子供の学習の段階を知ることは非常に重要です。子供の誕生から、親は子供の成長を見て、非常に幸せだと感じます。例えば、子供はクロール、座る、立つ、歩く、話す、読む、などことができる時に。できるだけ早く子供を支援するために、親は子供の学習の段階を知ったほうがいいでしょう。プレスクールの子供には、親は子供がいろいろなことに注意を払う必要はあります。例えば、普通に話せるか、単語のレベルは、自分の名前と数字を書けるか、色や形を知っているか、少し時間で集中できるか、言葉を使って、親はあるものを説明する時に分かるか、親の指示に従うか、他の子供たちと遊ぶかなど。小学生には、正しく鉛筆を持てれるか、単語と数字を識別し、書けるか、算術の問題ができるか、一部のことを覚えれるか、先生と親の指示に従うか、学生とよく付き合えるかなどを親は注意すべきです。しかし、この段階では、子供はまだ一つのことしか集中できないので、他の側面を無視する傾向はあります。問題を解決するために、この段階の子供は学んだことを使って、いろいろ試し始めます。中学生には、親は子供の記憶、宿題、友達、論理的な思考、および多数のタスクができるかなどを観察すべきです。この段階での子供は具体的な問題を考える力を持っています。また、徐々に一般的な問題のレベルに移行し始めます。高校生には、答えは一個ではない問題に対する答えられる能力、ロジックの原則を使って、抽象的な概念を理解する能力、時間管理の能力、必要なときに集中力、変化に適応する能力、友達を作り、うまく付き合う能力などから評価すべきです。この段階での子供はもう時間と空間の制約なしで考えることはでき、また、仮説や、理論および事実を考えって、問題を検討することができます。この段階の子供には認知能力の開発は必要です。例えば、メモリ、学習、理解、推論、判断などの能力を身に付ける必要はあります。子供たちはさまざまな方法で異なる速度で学習します。子供たちの学習に影響を及ぼすのは多くの要因はあります。たとえば、動機、感情、人間関係、社会的及び文化的な規範などの要因はあります。[/lang_ja][lang_zh] 孩子的智力发展是和脑的发育紧密相关的，具有不同的阶段。我们知道人类的脑直到青春晚期或成年早期（一部分男性）才发育完全。父母通常期望青少年象成人一样思考和处理问题是不对的，因为虽然有些青少年的身高比他们的父母还高，但是他们的大脑发育还没有成熟。父母应该知道对某一特定的年龄的孩子什么是现实的期望，所以家长了解孩子的学习阶段是非常重要的，以便更好地帮助孩子。...
Understanding Parents and Children’s Temperament [lang_ja] 気質の異なる子供たちはさまざまな指導スタイルが必要とします。親は人間での気質の違いを理解することによって、よりよい子育てと子供を指導することができます。気質は何？気質は個人的な、遺伝的な要因に基づいての周囲の環境に対応する特性です。幼児期から現れますが、ほとんどの人は大人になっても続きます。みんなは知っているように、一部の子供は熱い気質を持っています。非常に簡単に腹をたったり、不愉快になり易いです。また、一部の子供は非常に恥ずかしがり屋で、新しい環境に適応するのは困難です。子供の気質は、子供とその家族に付き合い方に影響があります。また、学校では先生や学生や学業成績などにも影響を与えます。 9週類の気質アメリカ精神科医者アレクサンダートーマス、ステラサンチェスとその同僚は有名な9週類の気質は以下のとおりをまとめました。その理論の理解を通して、親は自分と子供をよりよく理解することができます。感情の感度-ノイズ、痛み、またはその他のものから刺激を受けて、感じする程度...