By GoodNCrazy on Flickr

As parents, we may not understand or even like the activities that capture our teen’s interest, but curiosity and engagement are stepping-stones to learning. By interacting with our teens around their interests, we can support their curiosity and encourage other interests.

Be an eParent®! Appreciate your teen’s new skills, interests and abilities. Ask your teen to help you set up a Facebook, Twitter or other social media account.

In the teenage years, children’s interests shift and intensify as they grow in their ability to think abstractly and explore their changing identity. Teens respond to and want our interest and engagement with them.  In fact, interest is seen as a fundamental human emotion and key to learning. By taking the time to understand our teens’ current interests, we create an atmosphere of trust and support that may lead to exploring more diverse interests together. As psychologist William Damon said, “Listen closely for the spark, then fan the flames.”

You may enjoy watching a short video about how time spent online can be helpful to teen development.

To learn more contact UW-Extension Family Living Programs or like Family Living on Facebook.