1. Transitioning to Middle School: The Rising Ranger
Wallace Middle School
2/28/2018

2. Let’s talk about MIDDLE SCHOOL!
Welcome!
Activity - Roll the dice…
1 – Say one thing that makes you excited about middle school
2 – Say one thing that makes you nervous about middle school
3 – Say one thing that might make you sad about middle school
4 – Say one thing that you are curious about middle school
5 – Say one thing that you think will be “not so fun” about middle school
6 – Say one thing that’s going to be cool about middle school

3. Middle School Age is Unique
Myths –
Raging hormones = “go mad” or “lose minds”
Time of immaturity
Moving to total independence
*Remember, what others believe about us can shape how we see ourselves and how we behave.
Time of:
Emotional intensity
Social engagement
Creativity

4. What to expect… Change =
Social
Emotional
Academic
Physical
Some level of stress for the student and family
Normal anxiety and can challenge coping skills

5. The Benefits and Challenges of Adolescence
Novelty seeking
Social engagement
Increased emotional intensity
Creative exploration

6. Surviving and Thriving in Middle School
The Social Scene
Academia
Go to middle school events
Keep Your Old Friends Close
Hobby Up
Let Your Happy Self Shine
Find Your Niche
Love You
Be heard
Get secretarial
Give homework top priority
Study hard
It takes a village

7. Beat bullying Chasing crushes Don’t be a lemming Embrace the change
Challenging Times
Middle School = lots of fun but new and complicated feelings!

8. Ingredients for Strong Parent - Child Relationships
Showing Mutual Respect
& Having Fun
Giving Encouragement
& Showing Love
Mutual respect encourages equality in the home
Where to begin?
Start by smiling
Be willing to laugh at yourself and “tune in” to your child’s sense of humor
Let fixing meals or shopping for groceries together become times to talk, share stories, or even be silly
Planning some enjoyable time together is alos a good idea
If we believe in our kids, they believe in themselves.
Each person is unique.
Your child has many special and wonderful qualities.
Encouragement means giving less importance to mistakes and more importance to your child’s strengths.
Everyone has a primary love language.
Your child’s emotional tank is place of strength to fuel during challenging days.
Love tanks filled with only one premium fuel!
Unconditional love refill – depletes regularly

9. Steps for Parental Support
Understand middle school is NOT elementary school
Identify and ease common entry fears of middle school
Expect early adolescent changes
Supervise the completion of homework and support learning to function in a large secondary system
Help your child to be his or her own advocate
Declare desire to be told about any social cruelty that occurs
Inform and normalize the changes that come with puberty
Encourage and help seek out social circles outside of school
Encourage the development of multiple sources of self-esteem
Monitor and moderate the increased need for electronic communication (cell phone texting, computer messaging, and social networking.

10. More Tips… Don’t be too anxious about middle school
Develop an organizational strategy together
Utilize resources
Practice a combination lock over the summer
Talk about social skills
Openly communicate with Everyone
Get involved

11. Q & A
What are you and your child looking forward to for middle school?
What are you and your child most concerned about middle school?
What questions do you or your child have about middle school?
THANK YOU!
Stacie Robertson, M.A., LMFT-Associate
Austin Family Institute

12. RESOURCES Scholastic.com “Making the Move to Middle School”
Kidshealth.org “Moving to Middle School”
Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Daniel J. Siegel, MD
Connecting with Our Children: Guiding Principles for Parents in a Troubled World by Roberta M. Gilbert
The Parent’s Handbook: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting by Don Dinkmeyer, Sr., Gary D. McKay, and Don Dinkmeyer, Jr.