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The Connecting Adolescent Brain

May 23, 2024 | Filed in: Fact Sheet | STEPS for Youth

This fact sheet gives an overview of adolescent brain development and explains how access to resources, opportunities, and meaningful relationships during adolescence can build connections within our brains and with the world around us that support us into adulthood.

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5 Facts About Decision Making and Emotional Regulation During Adolescence

February 5, 2024 | Filed in: Fact Sheet

Adolescence is an important window for developing the skills to manage our emotions, control our behavior, and make good decisions. The social and brain development that happens during this period help us tune in to the information we need to master these important skills. But still, like every skill, these require opportunities to practice in real-world situations with room to make and learn from…

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5 Facts About Respect and Social Feedback in Adolescence

January 29, 2024 | Filed in: Fact Sheet

During adolescence, physical and cognitive changes combine with new social contexts in ways that increase our sensitivity to belonging and earning respect from those around us.

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5 Facts About Identity Development in Adolescence

January 18, 2024 | Filed in: Fact Sheet

During adolescence, we form a deeper sense of who we are, what we value, and who we want to be. Healthy development in adolescence involves creating a positive sense of self and belonging, based on our values and aspirations.

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5 Facts About Contributing During Adolescence

January 5, 2024 | Filed in: Fact Sheet

Throughout our adolescent years, we become increasingly capable of contributing to those around us in deeper, more meaningful ways than when we were younger. Opportunities to not only contribute but to reflect on the meaning of our contributions and to have our contributions recognized are important to healthy development during our adolescent years.

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5 Facts About Exploration and Risk Taking in Adolescence

January 5, 2024 | Filed in: Fact Sheet

Taking risks during adolescence is an essential part of learning and healthy development. In our adolescent years, we’re more motivated to explore the world by trying new things in ways that help us discover who we are, expand our skills, and ultimately move beyond the familiarity of home.

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Adolescence: A Critical Window to Influence Youth Mental Health

October 3, 2022 | Filed in: Fact Sheet | Brief

Research into cognitive and social development tells us that adolescence is a critical period to influence the mental health of young people. We can help young people not just survive but thrive by exposing them to conditions and experiences that support their developmental needs during these years.

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Navigating Transitions: Resources from the YNSCA

September 14, 2022 | Filed in: Fact Sheet

Our adolescent years mark a time of transition, as our bodies and brains mature and we explore and learn from our experiences and the world around us. Along the journey from childhood to adulthood, there are other major transitions along the way—the transition from middle school to high school, from high school to college or career, and into adulthood. The Youth National Scientific Council on…

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5 Facts About the Importance of Caring Adults During Our Adolescent Years

March 30, 2022 | Filed in: Fact Sheet

As we mature during adolescence, exercising more responsibility and personal agency, we become less physically dependent on adult caregivers. Yet parents and other caring adults remain as important to our healthy development as when we were younger. Below are five fast facts about the important role parents and other caring adults continue to play throughout our adolescent years. Secure and…

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Supporting Positive Development for Youth Post-Pandemic

July 8, 2021 | Filed in: Fact Sheet

Adolescence is a period of remarkable growth and opportunity. But the COVID-19 pandemic created unique challenges for this age group.

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