By Eneas on Flickr
Believe it or not, your teen is thinking about what it means “to be” in life and their place in the world.
One way for your child to achieve success is to become a life-long learner. Talk about how everyone is continually growing and learning. Ask your teen about an older adult they admire and why. Remind your teen that learning happens throughout life. Discuss with your child ways in which you are growing and learning.
Be an eParent®! Get on Twitter with your teen and add to the discussion or debate. Suggest your teen read an eBook and post a review.
At this stage of development your teen is developing deeper intellectual thoughts. They are better positioned to have a real conversation with you! During the teen years, youth become more interesting as individuals and are more ready to explore different viewpoints and topics. It is a time of discovery and possibilities.
It’s also an amazing time to engage your teen in discussion and debate. Debating with your teen is different than arguing with your teen. Debate with your teen includes sharing various opinions around a specific topic – with the end result not being a winner or loser (this is not politics!), but advancing the independent thinking skills, curiosity and eagerness for learning more. Teens whose families have lively and engaging debates are more likely to develop advanced thinking skills.
Read more about how debates with parents can help kids.
To learn more contact UW-Extension Family Living Programs or like Family Living on Facebook.
