NAVIGATING THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSITION Ginny Gleason Brevard Public Schools

What was your first day of Middle School like? What was your first day of Middle School like?

The Middle School Transition….. Can resemble the first day of kindergarten for many students.

Things to Consider… The Stage of Development: The Stage of Development:Adolescence

What is an Adolescent? Adolescents are young people who straddle the fence between childhood and adulthood. They have one foot secured in childhood and one foot moving into the world of adulthood. Adolescents are young people who straddle the fence between childhood and adulthood. They have one foot secured in childhood and one foot moving into the world of adulthood. Adolescence is a unique period of the human life span. In fact, no other developmental period, with the possible exception of infancy, is characterized by so many complex changes. Adolescence is a unique period of the human life span. In fact, no other developmental period, with the possible exception of infancy, is characterized by so many complex changes.

Changes include: Physical Very fast physical growth. Very fast physical growth. Boys can grow between 12 to 13 inches. Boys can grow between 12 to 13 inches. Girls can grow between 8 to 10 inches. Girls can grow between 8 to 10 inches. Hormonal changes which can contribute to the development of acne, body odor. Hormonal changes which can contribute to the development of acne, body odor. Development of facial hair. Development of facial hair. Changes in body proportions. Changes in body proportions.

Emotional and Social Development Keep in mind each adolescent is an individual with a unique personality and special interests, likes and dislikes. Keep in mind each adolescent is an individual with a unique personality and special interests, likes and dislikes. The following are some normal feelings and behaviors of the middle school and early high school adolescent. The following are some normal feelings and behaviors of the middle school and early high school adolescent.

Independence Struggle with their sense of identity. Struggle with their sense of identity. Feeling awkward or strange about one’s self and one's body Feeling awkward or strange about one’s self and one's body Focus on self, alternating between high expectations and poor self-esteem Focus on self, alternating between high expectations and poor self-esteem MOODINESS MOODINESS Realization that parents are not perfect Realization that parents are not perfect Less overt affection shown to parents, with occasional rudeness. Less overt affection shown to parents, with occasional rudeness. Complains that parents interfere with independence Complains that parents interfere with independence Tendency to return to childish behavior, particularly when under stress. Tendency to return to childish behavior, particularly when under stress.

Cognitive Changes Your adolescent is more interested in the present, with limited thoughts of the future. Your adolescent is more interested in the present, with limited thoughts of the future. Your adolescent’s intellectual interests expand and gain in importance. Your adolescent’s intellectual interests expand and gain in importance. They have a greater ability to do work They have a greater ability to do work ( physical, mental, emotional) ( physical, mental, emotional)

Self Awareness Display shyness, blushing, and modesty Display shyness, blushing, and modesty Girls develop physically sooner than boys Girls develop physically sooner than boys Increased interest in the opposite sex Increased interest in the opposite sex Concerns regarding physical appearance Concerns regarding physical appearance Frequently changing relationships Frequently changing relationships Worries about being normal Worries about being normal

Values Becoming aware of role models and seeking role models. Becoming aware of role models and seeking role models. Increased ability to think abstractly Increased ability to think abstractly Experimentation with sex, drugs and alcohol. Experimentation with sex, drugs and alcohol.

NOW IS THE TIME…………

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSITION

Keep in mind…….. The transition from elementary to middle school can be a time of mixed emotions. It can be a great opportunity for new beginnings… New Teachers New Teachers New Friends New Friends New School New School

These changes can be exciting for some and frightening for others.

Identifying Student Concerns A study by Diemert (1992) found that half of the concerns addressed by both boys and girls in the transition to Middle School were social issues. A study by Diemert (1992) found that half of the concerns addressed by both boys and girls in the transition to Middle School were social issues.

Student Concern Survey

PARENT TRANSITION PARENT TRANSITION

Your Elementary child who once depended on you for everything is now starting to pull away. Your Elementary child who once depended on you for everything is now starting to pull away. Your adolescent may now be experimenting with, clothing, hairstyles, music choices, slang and even friends. Your adolescent may now be experimenting with, clothing, hairstyles, music choices, slang and even friends. Adolescents are much more interested in pleasing their peers and less concerned with pleasing the adults in their lives. Adolescents are much more interested in pleasing their peers and less concerned with pleasing the adults in their lives.

Middle School may be one of the toughest transitions during childhood, for both parents and adolescents. Some families will glide through unaffected, but for others, this is a challenging journey.

Things to remember……… The most important thing to remember during this time of transition is DON”T CUT YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLER LOOSE JUST YET. They may not be ready for the independence we give them, and they need you to help them with this transition. They may not be ready for the independence we give them, and they need you to help them with this transition.

The Parents Role The Parents Role Stay involved! Stay involved! Get informed Get informed Ask questions Ask questions Listen Listen Reconnect Reconnect Respect Respect Don’t Give Up Don’t Give Up

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM YOUR ADOLESCENT

Don’t start asking me a hundred questions about my day the second I come home. Give me some time to decompress. Try not to make every comment a lecture about Life. Pay attention to my LIFE. Not just when I get in TROUBLE! Be careful with words. Words can wound and leave scars that last a lifetime..

Don ’ t be a hypocrite. Don ’ t tell me not to cuss, then go and cuss when you ’ re angry. Instead of dropping me off at basketball practice, come and watch me.

Mom, never, ever tell your friend ’ s son that I like him. Trust me with more responsibilities and realize if I mess up on something it ’ s my job to fix it.

Hold My Hand When The Big Waves Come……