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

Het was erg leerzaam. Ondanks dat mijn oudste nog niet veel pubergedrag laat zien zaten er wel aardig wat 'ah-momenten' in. Daarnaast bracht je het super grappig, waardoor het niet alleen leuk was de presentatie bij te wonen, maar de zaken ook beter blijven plakken. Bedankt!
Huizen - 2024-06-17
Wat een enorm gave lezing. Alles behalve zaai. Anderhalf uur luisteren naar een enorm interessante lezing wat bijna door kan gaan als een stand up comedian. Door de enorme herkenbaarheid. Aletta bedankt
Huizen - 2024-06-17
Aletta, het was in een woord geweldig! Wat breng je de informatie op een leuke,ludieke manier. Herkenbaar en humoristisch. Bedankt voor je tips!
Huizen - 2024-06-17

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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