Brain Changes
What part of your brain helps you make good decisions?
Prefrontal Cortex
What causes mood swings during puberty?
Hormones.
What is one sign of a healthy friendship?
Kindness, trust, respect, honesty, etc.
Why might arguments with parents increase during puberty?
Teens want more independence.
What does “identity” mean?
Who you are (interests, personality, values).
Why is it harder to control impulses during puberty?
The brain’s “thinking center” develops slower than the “emotion center.”
Name one positive way to handle a strong feeling.
Deep breaths, taking space, talking to someone, journaling, etc.
Why might friendships change during puberty?
Interests, identity, and emotional needs shift.
What is one respectful way to communicate with a parent about a problem?
Using “I” statements or calm tone.
"I find it hard to set the table before dinner because I am also working on homework."
Name one thing that shapes your identity.
Family, culture, hobbies, friends, experiences, etc.
What is the limbic system responsible for?
Emotions and emotional reactions.
What is a “mood swing”?
Quickly shifting from one feeling to another.
What is peer pressure?
Feeling pushed to act a certain way because friends are doing it.
Give one reason families might misunderstand each other during puberty.
Teens’ emotions change quickly and parents misread them.
Why do tweens/teens try out new styles or hobbies?
They’re exploring who they are.
Name one reason teens feel emotions more strongly.
Hormones + developing brain connections.
Why might someone cry or get frustrated more easily during puberty?
Emotional sensitivity increases as hormones change.
Name one strategy for standing up to negative peer pressure.
Saying no, giving a reason, walking away, finding new friends.
What is one healthy way to build trust with parents?
Being honest, following rules, checking in, etc.
What is self-esteem?
How you feel about yourself and your abilities.
Explain how the brain “rewires” during puberty.
It strengthens connections used often and removes ones not needed (pruning).
Describe a strategy to calm your body when you feel overwhelmed.
Any self-regulation technique (e.g., grounding, movement, sensory tools).
Why do teens start caring more about friends’ opinions?
The brain becomes more sensitive to social feedback and belonging.
Explain why independence is important during adolescence.
It helps teens learn responsibility, identity, and decision-making.
What does it mean to be your “authentic self”?
Acting in a way that matches your true feelings, beliefs, and personality.