The adolescent brain - a manual

What Parents, Teachers, and Other Adults Need to Know About the Teenage Brain

In 2009, Aletta Smits started giving theater-style interactive presentations about the teenage brain. The Adolescent brain - A Manual was the first presentation she ever gave. While the title has remained the same over the years, the content and stories have evolved.

A guaranteed cheerful and engaging hour and a half, filled with plenty of relatable moments and reassurance. Answers to questions like: Why don't they go to sleep on time? Why can't they get out of bed? Why don't they start their work on time? Why can they magically get up when they're going to an amusement park with friends? And why, oh why, do they always argue?

Through the lens of biology (what is physically different in a teenager's brain?) and evolution (how did teenagers come to be this way?), this presentation offers a lighthearted yet insightful explanation of why teenagers behave the way they do. Some challenges have solutions—we'll discuss those. Others simply require patience—we'll identify those too.

Aletta has given this presentation over a thousand times in different settings: for teachers, parents (in all forms), police officers, judges, truancy officers, military personnel, internship supervisors, and employers of young workers. You're more than welcome to attend as well!

Recently played in

  • Sassenheim - Thu 13 Mar 2025 - for CJG Sassenheim
  • Doetinchem - Wed 12 Mar 2025 - for Zone College
  • Bussum - Mon 10 Mar 2025 - for Vitus College

Reviews

Erg leuk en leerzaam… op een gevatte manier. Tips van hoe we het zelf nog beter kunnen aanpakken zou ik ook erg op prijs stellen ☺️ Daarnaast: hieronder staat dat er een boek twee jaar geleden waarschijnlijk uit komt. Wellicht die info even updaten? 👍🏻
Tolbert - 2024-10-01
Fantastisch hoe Aletta ons een in kijkje geeft in het brein van onze pubers. Wat heb ik gelachen om de genoemde voorbeelden en de herkenning. Super bedankt voor deze leerzame en leuke avond.
Tolbert - 2024-10-01
Op een leuke manier overbrengen van interessante informatie. Ik had nog graag wat meer tools gehad, maar heb er zeker wat van opgestoken en heerlijk gelachen! Dank!
Tolbert - 2024-10-01

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Contact

Do you need me for a training that is not available on the current list?
Send me an email.

You can also contact me by phone:
0203319123 or +31 (0)642832431