Today’s conversation feels both important and timely, because they’re tackling a challenge so many parents are facing: how to help disengaged teens reconnect with learning. My guests are Jenny Anderson, an award-winning journalist focused on learning and parenting, and Rebecca Winthrop, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution specializing in education innovation. Together, they’ve been diving deep into the science of student engagement, and today, they’re sharing what they’ve learned about reigniting curiosity and motivation in kids who have checked out of school and their excellent new book, The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better.
In our conversation, Jenny and Rebecca broke down why engagement isn’t just about academics—it’s an intricate mix of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors, often even more complex for neurodivergent children. We discussed the connection between technology and disengagement, why traditional models of education often fail to meet kids where they are, and how parents can foster curiosity by modeling a love of learning. Jenny and Rebecca also walked us through the four modes of learning and offered strategies to help kids switch from resistor, passenger, or achiever mode into explorer mode, which is the mode where kids learn best.
One of the most powerful takeaways from this discussion is the reminder that resistance in learning doesn’t equal a lack of interest in learning—it’s often a signal that the context is not working for the student.
Things you'll learn
Every child deserves access to quality education, but disengagement, exacerbated by technology, has long been an issue
Engagement is a dynamic mix of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors, often highlighted by challenges faced by neurodivergent children
Parents can bridge the gap between school and real-world relevance by modeling curiosity and fostering the thrill of learning
Disengagement today carries higher costs, making it vital to connect learning content to children’s interests and help them envision possible future selves
Resistance in children can become part of their identity, but with emotional coaching and redirection, their agency can lead to growth
Why staying emotionally connected, fostering curiosity, and engaging in meaningful discussions supports both academic and emotional development
Resources mentioned
The Disengaged Teen (website)
The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop
Jenny Anderson’s website
Rebecca Winthrop on Brookings Institute website
Giving Some Kids Autonomy Has Surprising Results (New York Times article)
How to Be Brave (Jenny’s Substack)
Winthrop’s World of Education (Rebecca’s LinkedIn newsletter)
Jenny on Instagram
Rebecca on Instagram
Cathy Adams on Navigating the Complexities of Raising Daughters (Tilt Parenting podcast)
Restoring Our Girls: How Real Conversations Shape Our Daughters’ Lives, Help Them with Teen Challenges, and Remind Them That They Matter by Cathy Adams
Lisa Damour
The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents by Lisa Damour
The Self-Driven Child with William Stixrud and Ned Johnson (Tilt Parenting podcast)
Daphna Oyserman / Future Possible Selves
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