ABSTRACT
In this, the concluding chapter of the book, I outline some of my work in translating the scientific evidence on brain development into material for parents and other adults. I start by giving an example of a workshop that I and colleagues run for parents, asking them to write down four words describing typical teenage behaviour. I then show how the words that are frequently chosen link closely with our knowledge about brain development. I discuss the challenges that are faced by parents of teenagers. I go on to describe the framework that I have developed which is designed to identify the five key elements of effective parenting. I call this the STAGE framework, and I show how each letter in STAGE represents an important feature of positive parenting. Following this, I link the aspects of the STAGE framework with knowledge about brain development. I then go on to consider other adults, such as teachers, for whom this knowledge about brain development can be helpful in their professional lives. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how to encourage the development of a mature brain. I note five activities that can contribute to a healthy brain, including being curious, being proactive, developing good routines, learning to deal with hormone variation and getting more oxygen to the brain.
