Self-Regulation Skills

Adolescence can be a tumultuous time as youth experience physical changes, become preoccupied with self-image and experience emotional ups and downs.  But it’s also a time of brain maturation, which makes adolescence an important period for learning the core skills needed for life -- planning, focus, self-control, awareness and flexibility.  As adults working with adolescents, one of our roles is to encourage and help them develop these skills so that they can better manage their relationships, school and work.

As you work closely with an adolescent in your life, here are 5 ways you can help him/her build core life skills:

• Encourage problem solving around real-life challenges
• Help youth recognize what triggers their intense emotions and learn to take preventative actions when those triggers come up
• Encourage youth to look to other adults to learn how they manage stress
• Encourage youth to try new activities and discover their SPARKS
• Help youth to recall positive memories to see that even small actions make a difference

To learn more about core life skills and their impact on youth development, check out this PDF from Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child.