The materials for the week included a presentation on the “power of the teenage brain”
by Dan Siegel, the theory of attachment, and chapter 6 of the book The Resilient Child by Joanne
A. Joseph. The materials are rich with insights that can be of great benefits to parents with
adolescent children. In this paper, I will briefly discuss the key takes away from the videos and
textbook reading. The Teenage Brain Development

From the presentation by Dan Siegel, I noted the following. First, puberty began at the
age of 15 around 150 years ago but today it begins at 10 years and ends at 24 years. Second,
adolescent is the healthiest period in life because the immune system of a child is high at that
period and can fight infections and diseases. Third, adolescent period is also the most dangerous
period in life because at this age the children are at risk of attracting bad company and
committing suicide. Fourth, adolescents exhibit four responses to a threat. The responses include
fighting back, fleeing for safety, freezing, or fainting. Fifth, I noted that the best time to pursue
passions such as learning how to play music instruments and learn a new language is during
adolescence. This is because the mind of children at this age can absorb and integrate ideas.
I noted the following from the video on the attachment theory. First, I observed that a
strong emotional and physical bond between a child and the caregiver are important during the
first years of life. A strong attachment between child and their caregivers brings about a feeling
of safety which, in turn, encourage children to explore the world and the reverse is true. Second,
children with a strong attachment trusts more and connects with others easily. This is why
children with a strong attachment end up being successful in life. Third, I learned that insecurely
attached children lack trust and social skills, and as a result have problems forming relationships
later in life. The fourth thing I noted in this material is that insecurely attached children suffer

from either anxious ambivalent, anxious avoidant, or anxious disorganized. Children with
insecure attachment develop stress or anxiety and this increases the production of stress
hormones and adrenaline. If this happen frequently, the brain development process of a child is
hindered and the immune system weakens. Last but not least, I learned that a strong attachment
between a child and a caregiver during the first years positively impacts health in future.
I also noted a few things from the chapter of the book The Resilient Child by Joanne A.
Joseph. First, it is very important to promote resiliency and productivity in a child. To promote
resiliency and productivity, caregivers need to build strong emotional connections with children,
embrace their mistakes, and teach them how to solve problems, leverage knowledge, and
emphasize the importance of work among others. Second, I noted that relaxation is the best way
to counter the toxic effects of stress. Third, I learned that exercise and workouts greatly promotes
the physical health of a child as well as helps prevent stress. Read more
In summary, I learned a lot from the materials for the week. Adolescent period is the best
time for children to learn how to play music instruments and speak other languages. Strong
emotional and physical bond between a child and the caregiver are important during the first
years of life because they impact the future. Caregivers can promote resiliency and productivity
by embracing the mistakes of children, leveraging knowledge, and teaching them the importance
of work.