UNDERSTANDI

NG & DEALING
WITH
ADOLESCENTS
Dr. Hazwani Che Abdullah
(MBBS IIUM)
Khalifah trainer
Coordinator, Khalifah Training Unit
WHO INFLUENCE THEM?
MOST INFLUENTIAL?
WHAT/WHO DIRECTS THEM?
ADOLESCENTS
 NEURODEVELOPMENT OF
ADOLESCENT BRAIN

Less bothered by
aversive stimuli
Dopamine

More responsive
to rewarding
stimuli Executive
function

Inhibitory centre

Modulates
response from
limbic system
 SUMMARY
• Adolescents more sensitive and responsive towards
rewarding experiences

• Scare tactics, punishments, penalties less effective

to deter negative behaviours

• Rational decision-making affected by emotion

• Adolescence – a period of heightened emotionality

LAW OF LEARNING
WHAT IS OUR ROLE?
The three Khalifah Steps:
HOW TO BE REWARDING?
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES

SOCIAL SMART
MEDIA PHONE
THEIR WORLD

“You only live once. C’mon

have fun.”
“You only live once...”
FIRST STEP…
DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP
BE A GOOD LISTENER
TALK ABOUT
WORLDVIEW, freewill & inner
speech
RESPECT
POSITIVE SELF-FULFILLING
PROPHECY
 NO MOMENT THE SAME AS
BEFORE
Takes us 2 ways

REGRESSION PROGRESSION
FIRM BUT KIND

• Why must we be firm?

• Children need to learn that there are rules and
boundaries in life
• They need to know that we mean what we say

• Why must it be with kindness?

• Remember law learning
• We want our children to associate everything that is
good and right with positive emotions
• We aim to nurture lifelong values, not get a quick fix
“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with
wisdom and beautiful preaching. And
argue with them in ways that are best
and most gracious.”(An-Nahl 16:125)
HOW TO BE FIRM?
Life is full of ups and downs