ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author explains how he came to be writing a book about the teenage brain. It all started with a phone call. It was at a time – in 2012 – when the author was working in Oxford, at the Oxford University Department of Education. In the audience there was someone called David Silverman, who at that time was Director of Children’s Services in Hertfordshire. David called the author and asked if he would be willing to meet, as he needed some advice from someone who knew about teenagers. David told a story to the author. In 2008 or thereabouts, Hertfordshire Children’s Services had developed a programme entitled “My Baby’s Brain”. The idea behind the programme was to help all the Hertfordshire staff working in early years to be more aware of the importance of brain development. David asked the author if he would help him develop this programme and act as a consultant to the team.
