Brain-Based Parenting & Teaching

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

• Crystal Collier PhD, Know Your Neuro, Inc.Follow

First Presenter's Institution

Know Your Neuro, Inc.

First Presenter’s Email Address

crystal@drcrystalcollier.com

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Crystal Collier, PhD, is an expert in adolescent brain development, prevention programming, parent coaching, addiction, family-of-origin work, and training new counselors. Her comprehensive prevention model teaching the neurodevelopmental impact of risky behaviors earned a Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. She integrated this model into a free online, plug-n-play prevention program called KnowYourNeuro.org for school students, parents, and schools. Her parent book, The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide, and children’s book series, Know Your Neuro: Adventures of a Growing Brain, are designed for parents and families who want to prevent youth high-risk behavior. Her therapy workbook, FOO Mapping, is for people who want to change family-of-origin thinking, feeling, and behavioral patterns that no longer serve them. Dr. Collier has also been honored with the Torch Bearer Award from the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, the Outstanding Research Award from the Association of Alternative Peer Groups, and was named Counselor of the Year by the Houston Counseling Association.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Sloane

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Relevance

Brain-Based Parenting & Teaching

Brief Program Description

“Brain-based Parenting and Teaching,” directly supports social, emotional, and mental health by connecting brain science to everyday parenting and educational practices. It explains the neurodevelopmental effects of 18 high-risk behaviors—such as substance use, risky digital use, or chronic stress—and shows how these behaviors can disrupt brain growth and executive functioning. By highlighting what parents and schools can do to protect brain development, the presentation empowers adults to foster healthier learning and home environments. Strengthening executive functioning skills in children and teens not only improves decision-making and emotional regulation but also builds resilience, academic success, and long-term mental well-being.

Summary

This training equips parents, caregivers, and educators with practical strategies to shape children’s behavior and strengthen executive function skills through an understanding of neurodevelopment and behavioral shaping principles. Participants explore how common high-risk behaviors—such as substance use, vaping, technology overuse, gambling, and exposure to pornography—can interrupt healthy brain development and delay the growth of critical executive functioning skills like impulse control, planning, and decision-making.

The session introduces evidence-based frameworks from prevention science and stage of change theory to help adults recognize, prevent, and address risky behaviors in youth. Attendees will practice brain-based parenting and teaching strategies that not only reduce harmful behavior but also foster resilience, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Practical methods such as positive reinforcement, modeling healthy coping strategies, consistent family routines, and collaborative school-based practices are emphasized to create environments that support long-term protective effects.

In addition, the training highlights how to apply prevention science techniques consistently at home and in classrooms, so children and teens develop the skills needed to navigate challenges and make healthier choices. By combining a strong theoretical foundation with hands-on models and approaches, parents and educators leave with concrete tools they can immediately use to protect brain development, build executive functioning, and guide young people toward safer, healthier, and more successful futures.

Evidence

• Casey, B. J., Jones, R. M., & Hare, T. A. (2008). The adolescent brain. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1124(1), 111–126.

• Crews, F. T., He, J., & Hodge, C. (2007). Adolescent cortical development: A critical period of vulnerability for addiction. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 86(2), 189–199.

• Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F. (1997). The transtheoretical model of health behavior change. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12(1), 38–48.

• Nation, M., et al. (2003). What works in prevention: Principles of effective prevention programs. American Psychologist, 58(6–7), 449–456.

• Diamond, A., & Lee, K. (2011). Interventions shown to aid executive function development in children 4–12 years old. Science, 333(6045), 959–964.

• Masten, A. S. (2014). Global perspectives on resilience in children and youth. Child Development, 85(1), 6–20.

• Collier, C. (2020). The neurowhereabouts guide: A neurodevelopmental guide for parents and caregivers who want to prevent youth high-risk behavior. Ingram Spark Publishing.

Learning Objective 1

Identify how high-risk behaviors impact neurodevelopment and executive functioning in youth. By the end of this training, participants will be able to describe the effects of substance use, technology overuse, gambling, and other risky behaviors on adolescent brain development and the growth of executive functioning skills such as self-regulation and decision-making.

Learning Objective 2

Apply prevention science and stage of change theory to reduce youth engagement in risky behaviors. Participants will be able to integrate prevention science principles and the transtheoretical model of behavior change to guide effective strategies for parenting and teaching that reduce harmful behaviors and promote protective factors.

Learning Objective 3

Implement practical brain-based parenting and teaching strategies that foster resilience and executive function skills. Participants will be able to utilize evidence-based strategies such as positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and modeling of healthy coping skills to support long-term social, emotional, and mental health in children and adolescents.

Keyword Descriptors

neuroscience, high-risk, executive functioning, practical

Presentation Year

2026

Start Date

3-3-2026 10:15 AM

End Date

3-3-2026 11:30 AM

Recommended Citation

Collier, Crystal PhD, "Brain-Based Parenting & Teaching" (2026). National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference. 42.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2026/2026/42