Daniel Siegel and Alfie Kohn

On Tuesday evening last week I had the opportunity to see UCLA psychiatrist Daniel Siegel speak. His presentation was wonderful, focusing on brain development in adolescents. I was so impressed I want to pass along a short video clip from him as well as a link to a full presentation of his. I encourage you to take a look; it may help you understand your teens a little more.

This is a short clip – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw9GrgNcYcg

This is a longer, complete presentation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH-BO1rJXbQ
 
If you are in the South Bay you can see the next Common Ground speaker next month - Alfie Kohn, author of The Homework Myth, The Schools Our Kids Deserve, and others including a new book, The Myth of the Spoiled Child. This will be the subject of his talks November 12 at The Harker School in San Jose and the 13th at Sacred Heart in Menlo. Check out a couple clips at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQt-ZI58wpw and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npZ4dkt4e4U

It is important that we consider the research, particularly that which challenges us, when making our instructional decisions.  Both Siegel and Kohn present a lot of material that ought to make us all pause and re-consider our practices.  Just because something has been done a certain way for generations does not mean that's the way to do it.  Challenge yourself, think outside the box, try something new and discard something old...but use the research to guide your decisions.

Learn more about the Common Ground series at http://www.commongroundspeakerseries.org/