Choose to be Curious Episode #19: Curiosity & Adolescence - with Kate McCauley & Michael Swisher
Jan 11, 2017
In this insightful conversation, psychotherapist Kate McCauley, founder of the Center for Parents and Teens, and Michael Swisher, asset liaison for Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, emphasize the joy and importance of curiosity during adolescence. They discuss strategies for fostering curiosity in youth, the interplay between identity and independence, and how effective communication can enhance connection. Their perspectives provide valuable insights into nurturing the critical developmental stage of adolescence.
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Adolescence as Identity Exploration
- Adolescence is a period of identity versus role confusion where teens explore who they are independent of family.
- Teens try on different values and behaviors to shape their identity and future selves.
Brain Development Drives Teen Curiosity
- The adolescent brain seeks novelty and creative exploration to adapt and understand a complex world.
- Teens move from black-and-white thinking to exploring gray areas, pushing boundaries to find limits.
Teens Balance Tensions in Identity
- Teens face the complex tasks of standing out while fitting in, measuring up, and taking hold socially and emotionally.
- This creates a dynamic tension in adolescence that fuels identity exploration.