middle school survival tips how to help your middle schooler
TRANSCRIPT
MIDDLE SCHOOL SURVIVAL TIPS
HOW TO HELP YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLER
The Middle School Age is Unique
Puberty drives it all
The limbic brain develops before the relatively undeveloped prefrontal cortex
Who Am I?Time of identity formation
Intensely social time - hunger for belonging, community, social status, and emotional closeness
Separation from family; peers become more important
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL ISSUES
YOUR CHILD MIGHT DEAL WITH:
Issues with Self Esteem
Academic Pressure
Drama
TemptationDisappointment and Rejection
Issues with Self EsteemIssues with Self
Esteem
Five elementary schools
Larger group to compare
"Imaginary audience"
Trying to find who they "are"
Academic Pressure
Managing seven classes and expectations
Organization
Adapting to different teacher
styles
Striving for the number, not the
knowledge
Thinking ahead to high school, SATs,
college
Drama
Bullying, including cyberbullying
In group fighting
Social media/cell phones perpetuate
drama
Anti-social behavior, including
aggression and anger
Temptation
First time many
experiment with
substances
Peer pressure
Curiosity caused by
media
Disappointment and Rejection
Competitive extra-curricular
activities
Fewer opportunities for limelight
Possibly the first broken
heart
Not part of their "chosen" group
WHAT IS CTMS DOING?Wolf Strong, etc., building community
Counselors - life skills lessons, open door policy, guidance lessons, ad hoc
groups
Caring relationships with teachers and staff
Variety of school activities
Understanding the special social issues of middle schoolers
Well designed lessons appropriate for the social and emotional needs of middle schoolers
Recognizing and valuing individual students
What Can Parents Do? Keep lines of
communication open with positive
presuppositions - stay informed
Teach self advocacy - find the balance
between support and rescue
Help her/him find a group outside school
Help them say no and be true to themselves
Help him/her explore a wide variety of activities and interests
Recognize and value their uniquenesses
Continue to instill and talk about your family's core values
Find opportunities for him/her to volunteer and serve others
MONITOR CELL PHONE AND SOCIAL MEDIA USE
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