| Our children seem to always be in transition. They go | | | | school functions like open houses and parent-teacher |
| from being infants to toddlers to preschoolers to | | | | nights. Volunteer for activities at school. There are |
| school age to pre-teen in what seems like a flash. And | | | | fewer available than in elementary school, so take |
| they depend on us for guidance through every | | | | advantage of what is offered. This is a great |
| transition. Some, of course are easier than others. One | | | | opportunity to observe your child in school and build up |
| important transition is that from grade school to middle | | | | your confidence in her progress and trust in her |
| school. Did you know that when you enter the term | | | | emerging independence. Learning to trust is an |
| "middle school transition" on a popular search engine | | | | essential parenting skill. |
| you will see 619,000 results! | | | | 3. Encourage your child to stay involved. Middle school |
| The transition to middle school is accompanied by | | | | provides the opportunity to join sports teams, clubs |
| other transitions. In addition to the academic changes, | | | | and other extra-curricular activities. By finding one or |
| your child will experience physical and emotional | | | | two that your child can join, he can make new friends |
| changes. The middle school years provide the | | | | and pursue a special interest with like-minded kids, and |
| opportunity for your child to grow educationally, | | | | maybe make some new friends. |
| physiologically and emotionally, however, fifth graders | | | | 4. Help arrange weekend activities. The early weeks |
| have many concerns about logistics and the social and | | | | of middle school can be overwhelming with the new |
| academic changes coming such as: | | | | class schedules, new building and new kids. Using |
| Getting to class on time | | | | weekends for social activities with friends from grade |
| Finding lockers, lunchrooms and bathrooms | | | | school or the neighborhood will ease this transition by |
| Keeping up with assignments | | | | providing familiar faces and activities. |
| Getting to the right bus to get home | | | | 5. Talk about social skills. Help your child learn how to |
| Changing classes; remembering which class to go to | | | | join a group conversation without interrupting, adding |
| next | | | | something relevant to the conversation. Teach her to |
| Getting through the crowded halls | | | | be a good listener. Discuss how words and actions |
| Will teachers expect more? | | | | can affect other people. Role play the conversational |
| Will I have time to have fun with my friends? | | | | skills you are teaching and demonstrate using eye |
| Who should I talk to if I'm having a problem with | | | | contact when speaking or listening. |
| something? | | | | 6. Continue regular family activities. The comfort of |
| Will I make new friends? | | | | regular family activities can help in this transition. Even |
| Here are some parenting tips to help your child | | | | though your child will have a lot more homework, |
| transition to middle school: | | | | continue family game night so that you can re-connect |
| 1. Visit the campus before school starts. If your school | | | | in a fun way. You can also use this time to observe |
| offers tours and orientations, attend them with your | | | | any changes in the way your child approaches playing |
| child. Additionally, take your child (and maybe her friend | | | | games, or relating to the family. |
| as well) exploring. They can help each other | | | | 7. Get organized. Help your child work out an |
| remember where things are. When you are exploring, | | | | organizational system for getting assignments done. |
| note where the lockers and bathrooms are. Walk | | | | Acknowledge the anxiety he may have over the |
| through a typical day (if you know the class schedule) | | | | workload and work together on a schedule for study |
| to see how long it takes to get from class to class | | | | time, break time, chore time, family time, etc. |
| and then factor in extra time for crowded hallways. | | | | 8. Teach your child to advocate for herself. Encourage |
| This is best done just before the start of the school | | | | her to approach her teachers with problems and |
| year. | | | | concerns to find solutions on her own, but let her know |
| 2. Stay involved. To get to know the teachers, attend | | | | that you will step in and help as needed. |