Understand teens, their brain development during COVID-19

This time of COVID-19 restrictions will not last forever.

That is the message The Launch Pad is sending to Prescott-area teenagers, while they are required to “social distance” and stay at home.

Betsy Haslam, MS, LPC, a board member for The Launch Pad Teen Center, said that because of the pandemic, “Our youth are faced with very unexpected and unusual changes. Unlike our lives at the welcoming of 2020, we now face challenges to undertake as never before.”

Those statements can be more easily understood by adults, but for children and teens even understanding the cause and effect of the pandemic is an undertaking, not to mention the ultimate challenge of social distancing, she said.

“Youth are social beings and seek proximity with others,” Haslam said. “As their brains are developing, teen functioning occurs somewhere between emotional, somatic parts of the brain and the rational, reasoning brain.

“As teens mature, millions of brain cells are producing myelin which helps create connections and pathways between these parts of the brain and their functions. Therefore, before the brain has fully matured around age 25, teens can be moody and irrational. Then, after a break to calm the brain, they can be understanding and reasonable.”

So who better for youth to associate with than similarly aged friends? Youth are experiencing very similar developmental milestones and recognize the fluctuations of mood, behaviors and thoughts with their peers, she said. And these recognitions create bonds of kinship and loyalty.

However, with COVID-19, medical and social circumstances have limited physical engagement with others. “While casually talking with a teen I asked ‘what do you miss most since COVID-19 became a problem’? The reply was ‘school, my teachers, dance class and friends.’ Inasmuch as the virus has altered our engagements and behaviors with one another, this response was a very real and understandable measure of a teen’s view of social distancing.”

To protect our children is a parents/caregivers right and job. And, “amidst this pandemic, protecting ourselves and the wellbeing of our children is priority. Methods to maintain safety and positive relationships with youth are talking, asking questions, listening, tolerating anger, giving time for de-escalation, conversing when calm, being compassionate and understanding, exploring ideas, making suggestions when youth are unsure, rewarding for good choices and saying ‘no’ when needed.”

As a parent/caregiver, Haslam said, know when you are at your limit and find support to help you manage your thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

“Reassure youth that COVID-19 will not last forever but in the meantime, implementing fun and laughter into your home will go a long way to reassure your youth that there are familiar and consistent parts of life worth sharing as a family. Connecting with others outside the home by phone, computer or following standard 6-foot distance protocols will also reassure our youth of the need for social distancing and other’s awareness of its importance.”

And, as has been repeated many times, we’re all in this together, she added, and the health of you and your family are top priority.

The Launch Pad Teen Center is here for you and your teen. Visit The Launch Pad Teen Center’s website at thelaunchpadteencenter.org for daily online programs and online tutoring to help build connection, safe recreation and support for teens.

Information provided by The Launch Pad in Prescott.