Supporting Student Success as Your Child Enters Middle School

Do you remember when you transitioned from elementary to middle school? It was exciting, for sure, but there was a lot of uncertainty accompanying that excitement. Emotions and anxiety ran high as the new school year inched closer, and likely continued long after you walked through the front doors on your first day. The same thing will happen for your children as they make that transition, and your parental guidance is vital for them to achieve student success. Just like the transition into preschool, this is a big step, so let’s talk about what you can do to get them through this change!

Understanding the Middle School Transition

The move to this new school comes with a wealth of changes. From an academic standpoint, there’s a big shift from a single-classroom environment to multiple teachers and subjects. For your child – this can be a daunting change, especially when class changes are thrown into the mix (more freedom!). The curriculum sees a noticeable change in challenge and will test your child’s mind like never before. This means they’ll need to learn to manage their time, develop study skills, and learn to think more critically. There’s a greater expectation that they’ll take responsibility for their learning.

From a social perspective, there are countless new pressures introduced here. Peer relationships are more complex than before, and navigating friendships and other group dynamics will be important for your child. On top of all that, middle school is when many children experience the onset of puberty. That in itself is nerve-racking enough! The physical and mental changes brought about by it will have an impact on things like self-esteem and social interactions. There’s a newfound need for independence that may clash with the continued need for parental guidance, so finding a balance between the two is challenging for child and parent alike.

When you recognize these challenges, it becomes easier to manage them. Communication between you and your child is paramount to this process, so make sure you’re there for them and let them know that the uncertainty they likely feel is normal. After all, a lot is happening at once!

School Readiness

Knowing what to expect is only part of the process though. Preparing for it is another big step in school readiness, so start prepping well before the first day! This will help both you and your child be a little more at ease. Here are a few things you should focus on:

• Gather and Organize School Supplies: This simple activity will help your child feel in control and get them excited about the coming school year. If you need help with your child’s school supply list, you can use this resource.
• Set Up a Study Routine: When your child has a homework schedule in place (and sticks to it), the likelihood of student success can skyrocket. They’ll be less likely to procrastinate on big projects, and it will help them turn every assignment in on time.
• Visit the School Beforehand: This one depends on the policies the school has. If they allow it, visiting before day one will help your child familiarize themselves with this new environment where they’ll be spending so much of their time over the next few years. 

Student Success Strategies

As we mentioned before, expectations increase significantly in middle school, making it important for you to stay actively involved in your child’s education (despite their protests). We’ve already touched on the importance of healthy study habits, but what about the actual work that needs to be done? It’s difficult to find the balance between letting your child figure out homework problems for themselves and helping them with it, but if you make yourself available for them when they need a nudge, they’ll be less likely to get frustrated with difficult assignments. Additionally, keeping an eye on their habits will allow you to step in when they’re getting distracted a little too frequently and address the issue.

There are also a few habits you can work on that will help out during the school day. Encouraging active participation in class is another key to student success. Take the time to talk to your child about the importance of asking questions, participating in discussions, and asking for help when it’s needed. In addition to that, try to foster a love of learning in your child. Work on creative projects together, take them to a museum, or even watch documentaries they may be interested in. This helps them get excited about learning and see it as a lifelong pursuit.

Finally, it’s important to keep in touch with the teachers. This will help you monitor your child’s progress and identify any areas that might need to be improved. A great way to do this is to take advantage of any communication resources the teachers may offer and, of course, attending parent/teacher conferences.

Emotional and Social Support

This is a time of major emotional and social growth for your child. They’ll be navigating new friendships, peer pressure, and everything that comes with adolescence, so your support in their development of the related skills to succeed is crucial. 

You can start by encouraging your child to build healthy relationships through sports, clubs, or other extracurricular activities. These will help them develop a sense of belonging and make connections they would have otherwise missed out on. Take some time to talk about the importance of kindness and empathy, as well as respecting everyone they interact with. From this, they’ll develop conflict resolution skills and much more.

With all these gears turning, there’s bound to be some stress. It’s helpful to assist your child in managing that stress. Teaching them relaxation techniques to use when pressure is high can go a long way toward a happy middle school experience. Perhaps one of the most vital strategies, though, is getting your child comfortable with talking about their feelings. When they’re able to do this, it helps them manage their emotions and nurture the relationships they have. When they experience setbacks, let them know that it’s okay to be frustrated and help them see these setbacks as learning opportunities. When they have a growth mindset, they’ll find the success they’re looking for.

Encouraging Independence While Staying Involved

This is a time in your child’s life when you may experience difficulty, as well. Your child is becoming more independent, meaning they won’t need to rely on you for as many things as before. We know that will bring a tear to your eye, but it’s okay! Every child goes through this, and it doesn’t mean they no longer rely on you for anything. You can still be involved while seeing them grow as a person. In fact, encouraging that independence will help both of you overcome this shift! So here are a few things you can do:

• Encourage Them to Take Responsibility: Allow them to make choices about their schoolwork, extracurricular events, and other areas, but let them know you’re there to give advice when they need it.
• Stay Involved in Their School and Social Life: Check in on their progress with classes and projects, and ask if there are any challenges they’re facing. It’s important, though, to set boundaries for yourself to make sure you don’t become overly controlling. Helping them out is great, but micromanaging their life could cause conflicts.
• Communicate: We know we’ve already harped on this, but it’s really that important! Keep the lines of communication open between you and your child, and let them know they always have a shoulder to lean on and an ear to talk to. Make sure you listen with empathy and understanding. When you achieve this, you’re helping your child navigate the complex new stage of their life that is middle school.

Off to School

By understanding the sweeping changes your child is experiencing during this transition, you can prepare them for the challenges ahead and help them thrive through it all. Your involvement is crucial to their student success and beyond (it could be a wonderful experience for you, as well). If you have any questions about helping with school readiness or providing effective parental guidance, we’re always here with an open ear! Get in touch with us at Basal and we’ll help you and your child navigate this uncertain (but exciting) milestone.