How To The Transition To Middle School

The transition to middle school can be challenging for any child and their parent. You are both entering a new territory of what to expect and what is to be expected from an academic point, social view and more. It has been said the middle school years are particularly challenging because the child is too young to be old and too old to be young. This means they are officially the middle child trying to figure out their place in uncharted territories for them. New friends. New school. New guidelines. New routine. So how do you assist as a parent? Well, here are a few proven ways to assist.

Chartering The Academics

Welcome to the wonderful world of middle school academics. First and foremost please know the teachers welcome you and your child with open arms. With the middle school years comes a new level of academic independence from the teacher and you as a parent. Your child is now expect to be more independent and you are expected to allow that new found independence. Your child’s teacher(s) now manages many students compared to elementary school. To help your child be successful it is now game time on a whole new level and here are different things to implement.

1. Establish a homework schedule with your child, not for your child. Encourage and allow them the organizational skill to be their academic success. What does this mean? Plan their study and homework time with with them and encouraging them every step of the way.  

2. Make you are aware of all the resources to you and your child such as study groups, after school tutorials, homework reminder portals, websites etc…

3. Get involved in holding them accountable for their work and project and continue supporting their work.

4. If your child is a further unique learner with ADD or ADHD or something else explore an IEP ( Individualized Education Program ) to assist with their success. Do they already have an IEP in place? Then make sure it is updated just for the transition to middle school.

Chartering The Social Journey

These are the awkward years. The body starts to develop. Voices are changing. Social skills are being recognize. The incrowd is being defined and so much more. Your child wants to know where they fit in or do not fit in and you can help them understand your expectations and why along with why it is okay to be different.  You do this through lots of communication and being prepared to discuss this guide when the challenges come up. You may even want to initiate the discussions to keep the lines of communications open and talk it out.

Establishing Open Communication

Establishing open communication is important on so many levels. Good communication is taught and establish very early on. Reassure your child they can discuss anything and everything with you any time. Throughout the middle school years you must continue to discuss this and encourage conversations which may sometimes become uncomfortable to discuss however talk about it anyway.  Talk to them about their day, their friends, what they learned, what they need help with and more. Set up open lines of communication and keep them open. You will be amazed at what you will learn just by doing this.

Also, establish a way out system with them and for them. What is a way out system? It is where they can text you a specific random message or say a specific random phase and you will know they are in an uncomfortable position with friends and need a way out of the situation. Ex: John texts you “We are headed are here at the basketball game and going to the movies afterwards. x” The x is John’s subtle way of notifying you something's not right with the situation and he needs you to assist help him in saying  no even if that means coming to get him because of a “family emergency”.

The Parent Success Factor Checklist

Our children success can also be enhanced by your interaction with the school. It is more important than you know to be involved with the school. Make sure you know them and they know you. You are teammates in your child’s success. Here are things I recommend.

1. The big introduction is necessary. Make sure you contact each of your child’s teachers via email and that it includes your child’s name. The email would also be most  effective if it includes what period your child comes to them and all the ways they may contact you.  

2. Volunteer for something. All volunteer opportunities do not have to be in person at the school. Often there is something to volunteer for outside of the classroom.

3. Show you face periodically even when there is not a special event.

4. Be sure your child has everything they need such as school supplies, books  and extras such as a planner and free resources to assist them when you cannot.

5. Have a schedule for keeping tabs on their success and challenges with their teachers and counselors before reports come out. They have many classes now and a monthly email asking about the successes and challenges can do wonders for them and you.

6. Reward your child’s school successes at outside school. Ex: If they make the honor roll have a special dinner that night or make a big deal about it with family. Your child’s success should be celebrate outside of school as well.

7. Allow and teach your child to define themselves and it is okay that things are different. Keep this guide handy for open conversations about middle school.

   
   

Embrace these tips and guidelines. I assure you they will ease the process of the transition.