Speaking Engagements

From Understanding the Teenage Brain to The Impact of Too Much Screentime

Teens & Screens

(Dis) Connected

Forget the psychobabble. Danelle is authentic, original, and carefully describes complex mental health issues, with real-life understanding. Her presentations are simple, easy to follow, and packed with her own personal experiences with her teen clients. She has an intuitive sense of what her audience is looking for, is caught up on the latest research in adolescent & adult brain science, and has a wealth of knowledge on what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to teens, tweens and their parents 😉

But most importantly… because Danelle is surrounded by easily influenced youth for most of her day… she stores her sarcasm, her preference for puns, and her dry (perhaps unedited) sense of humour for her adult audiences.

Photo of Danelle Spence

Listen to Danelle interviewed on the CBC Calgary Eye Opener discussing “Screenagers”, an award winning documentary probing the tech-filled world of our teenagers.

“Danelle Spence came to our school and delivered an excellent presentation. Her topics of discussion are necessary conversations to have with parents, and the realness of her discussion resonated with teachers. It is clear that her past experience has taught her many valuable lessons that would benefit any parent or teacher. Conversations like the one Danelle started at our school can be hard to have but between her humour and real-life examples, she managed to work the tension out of the room. She provided examples of what to say, when to say it, how to say it, and most importantly, why to say it. She opens the door up to a connection being made between students, parents, and teachers, and what a good support system should look like. I would recommend Danelle Spence to any school looking to provide some education for parents or staff. She was passionate about the topic, as well as well spoken and humorous.”

- Menno Simons Christian School

Watch the Lionheart Foundation, 2018 Girl Power Luncheon featuring Danelle Spence as one of four panelists discussing Teens and Screens.

“The only thing worse than not helping yourself, is not listening to someone who can. Danelle hooks her audience the moment she starts to share her knowledge and experiences. I particularly enjoy her calm demeanour and engaging non-traditional delivery – which is often infused with a bit of humour. This humour helps build trust, connection to the subject matter and helped me identify with the topic discussed.”

- Marie Blanche Gallo

Presentation Topics

Teens & Screens

Understand what is occurring in your teen’s brain and the factors that influence healthy development. One of those factors is technology. Technology can provide many amazing opportunities for learning and connecting, but it also poses some challenges. Learn how to successfully navigate tech with you teen. Each 1 hr presentation is concluded with a 30 min Q & A period.

The Teenage Brain

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – This 90 minute presentation is designed to provide a thorough understanding of healthy child brain development. More specifically, it will provide participants with strategies on how they can directly shape a young growing brain to avoid things like: anxiety, disordered-eating, obsessive-compulsive patterns, depression, self-harm or maladaptive perfectionism. Followed by a 30 min Q & A period.

Navigating Girl Relationships

Tribes, Squads and Frenemies – Drawing on 25 years of child and adolescent experience, this presentation will delve into all the friendship nuances of Girl World. Specifically, understand what your daughter will need from you in order to develop healthy and happy relationships.

(Dis) Connected

Finding Screen-LIfe Balance in this Digital Time.

There is growing evidence to support the connection between screen time and our relationships, focus and mental health, for members of Gen X through to Baby Boomer. The good news is that there are also research-supported strategies to help us combat the possible negative impacts of social media. Danelle will take you through these in her 60-minute presentation.

Teens & Screens

The Research

Studies show that self-control is a better indicator of success than intelligence. Learn how to help your child develop these ‘self-control’ brain patterns as it relates to technology. The results being: less anxiety, better sleep, healthier relationships, and improved emotional well-being.

“Recent brain imaging studies conclusively show that excessive screen exposure can neurologically damage a young person’s developing brain.”

Nicholas Kardarias PhD, Author of Glow Kids

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Begin with a basic, yet comprehensive, explanation of adolescent brain development.

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Why boredom, downtime, and play are essential for the developing brain.

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Learn how technology can impact: sleep, relationships, focus, memory, learning & overall emotional wellness.

Graphic of technology networks and the teen brain.

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Recognize the neurological impact of social media and video games.

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How to set healthy boundaries when it comes to screen time (by guiding vs. punishing!)

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Understand the importance of modelling healthy "netiquette" as a family.

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Begin with a basic, yet comprehensive, explanation of adolescent brain development.

p

Why boredom, downtime, and play are essential for the developing brain.

p

Learn how technology can impact: sleep, relationships, focus, memory, learning & overall emotional wellness.

p

Recognize the neurological impact of social media and video games.

p

How to set healthy boundaries when it comes to screen time (by guiding vs. punishing!)

p

Understand the importance of modelling healthy "netiquette" as a family.

Graphic of technology networks and the teen brain.

Leave with plenty of hands-on tools, strategies and skills to be better prepared to navigate the complicated world of technology.

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Each parent/professional presentation can be custom geared for kids of all ages.

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Presentation can be adjusted according to audience: parent, educator or professional groups.

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One page take home ‘Refrigerator Cheat Sheet’ provided.

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$500 for a 1 hour presentation followed by a 30 min Q&A period.

Please contact me with any questions or to book a presentation.

The Teenage Brain

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

This 90 minute presentation is designed to provide a thorough understanding of healthy teen brain development. More specifically, it will provide participants how they can directly shape a young growing brain, to avoid things like: anxiety, disordered-eating, obsessive-compulsive patterns, depression, self-harm or maladaptive perfectionism.

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Understand the emotional health issues of children & adolescents from a brain development point of view.

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How to support high academic achievement, without creating increased anxiety or maladaptive perfectionism.

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Why healthy relationships are essential for adolescent well-being.

Graphic concept of developing child's brain.

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Why non-catastrophic mistakes & failures are necessary.

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Understand why boredom, downtime and play are essential for healthy brain development.

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How to help children & teenagers navigate things like good sleep etiquette, technology-use, and other cultural pressures.

p

Understand the emotional health issues of children & adolescents from a brain development point of view.

p

How to support high academic achievement, without creating increased anxiety or maladaptive perfectionism.

p

Why healthy relationships are essential for adolescent well-being.

p

Why non-catastrophic mistakes & failures are necessary.

p

Understand why boredom, downtime and play are essential for healthy brain development.

p

How to help children & teenagers navigate things like good sleep etiquette, technology-use, and other cultural pressures.

Graphic concept of developing child's brain.

Practical strategies and tools will be provided throughout, to promote healthy brain development. A dedicated 30 min Q & A will conclude the presentation.

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Each parent/professional presentation can be custom geared for kids of all ages.

R

Presentation can be adjusted according to audience: parent, educator or professional groups.

R

One page take home ‘Refrigerator Cheat Sheet’ provided.

R

$600 for a 90 minute presentation followed by a 30 min Q&A period.

Please contact me with any questions or to book a presentation.

Navigating Girl Relationships

Packed with anecdotals, insights and practical strategies, you will leave with simple tools to help your daughter if (and when) things get messy along the way.

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Gain insight into the complicated and wonderful world of female friendship. The eye-rolling, the gossip, the inevitable exclusions – learn how to best handle these (without making things worse!).

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Why it’s important to watch her with her friends. Is she bossy? Is she a pushover? By observing her, you can figure out what skills she may need so you can more adequately guide her.

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Why you must start early teaching your daughter how to be assertive and to stand up for what she believes in.

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Learn how to develop & add scripts, vocabulary and skills to her “repertoire” so she can effectively solve problems, repair disputes, and deepen her friend connections.

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Understand (and tolerate!) friendship fluidity. From worst enemies one day, to best friends the next. Yes, this will happen.

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How media plays a big role in influencing girls’ actions at any age.

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Why it is essential to model healthy relationships yourself.

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Each parent/professional presentation can be custom geared for kids of all ages.

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Presentation can be adjusted according to audience: parent, educator or professional groups.

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A summary package of the entire presentation will be provided.

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$500 for a 60 minute presentation followed by a 30 min Q&A period.

Please contact me with any questions or to book a presentation.

(Dis) Connected

Finding Screen-Life Balance in this Digital Time

Social media connects us to people, causes, news, and opens up our world. But what’s on the flip side of being so connected?

There is growing evidence to support the connection between screen time and our relationships, focus and mental health, for members of Gen X through to Baby Boomer. The good news is that there are also research-supported strategies to help us combat the possible negative impacts of social media. Danelle will take you through these in her 60-minute presentation.

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Understand the negative impact too much screen time has on all of our brains (not just our kids!)

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Why sleeping with your phone is BAD and going to a restaurant without your phone is GOOD.

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Learn how to get technology to enhance your life not hinder it.

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Figure out how to set boundaries and limit your time on social media.

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Gain a better sense of how excessive screen time can negatively impact focus, memory, sleep, relationships, and increase things like anxiety and depression.

Danelle will share her experiences, and proven brain-based tips to help you implement simple changes to promote a healthy relationship with technology and social media.

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Presentation can be adjusted according to audience: parent, educator or professional groups.

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$600 for a 60-minute presentation followed by a 30-min Q&A period.

Please contact me with any questions or to book a presentation.