Cognitive Development: How the Teen Brain Grows (Newsela)

Self-regulation

Completing tasks

Using memory

Goal setting

The teen brain produces excess neurons that must be trimmed away.

The teen brain undergoes significant changes that enhance learning and thinking abilities.

Executive functioning skills are crucial for teenage success.

Abstract thinking develops gradually throughout adolescence.

"During adolescence, the brain grows and prepares you to think and learn."

"Brain cells, or neurons, pass electrical signals along in the brain that control everything in the body."

"Adolescence is a perfect time to gain and practice new skills, like executive functioning."

"Children generally can only focus on the information in front of them, but teens can use advanced reasoning."

Brain cells control everything in the body.

The brain makes more cells than it needs during adolescence.

Adolescence is a time for enhanced physical growth.

The brain reaches full maturity in teenage years.

"Brain cells, or neurons, pass electrical signals along in the brain."

"The brain trims down the extra growth, keeping only the parts the teen actively uses."

"This 'pruning' lets adolescents easily get to the information they use most."

"These extra brain cells give teens more places to store information."