Bridget's The Power Of The Adolescent Brain

After reading Planet Earth is Blue, I noticed it was directly related to the content learned throughout this semester. In The Power of the Adolescent Brain, I understand that the teenage brain is still developing and it’s a crucial time for learning and decision making. This was seen throughout many of Bridget’s decisions. Although we never even directly heard from Bridget in the book, we know from Nova that Bridget was making decisions that most teenagers make. Like we discussed in class, adolescents are greatly influenced by their peers. They greatly value social acceptance and want to fit in. This impacts their choices, behaviors, and even their own identity. They are trying to find themselves, and this is a natural part of their social

Bridget had a profound understanding and compassion towards Nova and this showed how important empathy and support systems are in adolescent development. Through Nova and Bridget’s interactions, their communication and acceptance is highlighted. How Bridget treated Nova shows how powerful a strong connection is, especially during the adolescent stage. In The Power of the Adolescent Brain, Armstrong discusses the social and emotional aspects of the adolescent brain. This is related to Bridget because she expresses great empathy and communication towards Nova. Armstrong also emphasizes how the adolescent brain is capable of emotional growth and has a great capacity for empathy. This suggests that social interactions during this period are vital for developing a sense of identity. Bridget’s character shows this by showing an ability to connect with Nova despite the challenges posed by Nova’s nonverbal autism. The relationship between the sisters is a support system for both of them. It also contributes to Bridget’s social and emotional development because she has such a strong bond with Nova. This allows her to be in touch with her emotions, therefore strengthening