How can we harness teen’s individual creativity at such a vulnerable, key time ?

WHAT DID YOU 'SEE' in Adolescence?

There are so many layers to this groundbreaking series...

Some of my take on it comes from reflecting on how are we still not focusing enough on our teen's health and well-being especially, the changes in their brains at this key developmental time?

Why is this not being invested and catered for in our communities enough?

Yes, good practice does exist, but not for all young people. This isn't just about school, but for the most part it is were so many of our teens are still being pipelined into this context.

What if more was being done to harness individual creativity at a time when being able to de-stress, connect with more vulnerable feelings as well as being able to think more critically and innovate is needed?

How much cutting of the arts, creative and humanities subjects funnel young minds to crave 'stories' and 'community' online when not every teen wants to or can access sports, the funnelling into the STEM subjects or the obsession with grading?

What if the ways that learning was run were more flexible and allowed each young person to take on subjects they had a genuine interest in vs' the old school cookie cutter, pipeline to university and a job were examined?

Do teens still really need 10 GSCEs and 3-4 A levels? Especially as classes sizes get bigger and bigger more personalised...

What if we had a more porous flow between all aspects of our communities that allowed for different types of real people to enter our schools safely to be those role models that could balance out the 'voices' online that get inside our young people's head? [Yes, there are great examples of this, but its not across the board]

So, really lots of questions - which good arts and drama call forth in us.

Yes, there are many other lines of discussions to be had about such a blistering call to action but these come from reflection on my own teen years.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without access to additional arts provision outside of school, where bullying was a challenge—for me and others. I was also fortunate to take part in a transformative youth leadership program through YMCA Day Camps at 14, which showed me I could lead myself and others.

Have you seen the show?

If yes, what are your reflections...

- Please be mindful in the comments - part of what this programme calls out for each of us is not to be part of perpetuating violence and bullying with our words and ability to influence others...

- Let's be kind and seek understanding

Articles I read whilst pondering this

What neuroscience tells us about the teenage brain

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/07/feature-neuroscience-teen-brain

Teens aren’t just risk machines – there’s a method to their madness https://theconversation.com/teens-arent-just-risk-machines-theres-a-method-to-their-madness-89439

Image via

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a63453816/adolescence-netflix/