Between 14 and 16, many teenagers suddenly quit the hobby they have loved for years. We call it the minefield moment: teen stress from school, friends, and phones piles up just as teenagers want more independence. We share the story of a 15-year-old dancer we have taught for ten years. She loved dance, but felt guilty about homework every time she was in class. We talk about teen stress, why dancers quit at 14–16, how AI and phones affect learning, and what parents can do when their teenager wants to stop.

Why science backs up what we see in class: The OECD's PISA 2025 study tested fifteen-year-olds around the world. It found that "hasty readers", students who rush and give quick but wrong answers, almost doubled since 2018, and that students feel less family support than in 2022.

Pew Research found that 68% of teens feel pressure t ...