Most middle schools begin their transition activities in the spring. Teachers start talking to kids about what next year will look like, and kids start imagining the worst. Your child may be nervous about leaving a comfortable environment where he is used to being a “big fish” and heading off to an unknown world about which he has probably heard a hundred horror stories from older kids. How can you help ease the transition and get your child off to a good start?
Find out what she’s worried about. Don’t assume you know what her concerns are. Sometimes kids are worried about things that we might not even think about. If she seems hesitant or unable to verbalize her feelings, offer her some possibilities and ask her to rate her level of anxiety on a scale of 1-10. This will help you to pinpoint where potential problems might lie.
Familiarize him with the environment. Your child will probably have a chance to visit the middle school with his class this spring. If not, call the office to arrange for a tour of the building. Find out what other activities might be going on at the school this spring and summer that he can attend. If he’s concerned about finding her way around, ask the school for a map so he can get the lay of the land.
Get information about the academic program. Middle schools are often structured differently than elementary schools, in teams or houses. Sometimes classes are grouped heterogeneously, which means students of all abilities are mixed together. Sometimes they are grouped homogeneously, which means that your child will be with other students who are similar in ability. This is often the case for subjects like Math and Reading. Your daughter’s school probably has some kind of handbook that will give you some basic information about grouping, academic content, and homework policies. Provide your daughter with this information ahead of time so she knows what to expect.
Find out what social opportunities are available. One of the great things about middle school is that there are so many different activities available to your child. Sports, music, clubs, drama….help your child find out ahead of time what is offered and select a couple of activities to try. While joining a club might be easier with a group of friends, try to help your child muster up the confidence to go it alone if he has an interest that none of her current friends share. Remind him that this is his chance to make new friends who share his interests.
Make some personal contacts. Teachers are often in the building preparing their classrooms in the weeks before school starts. This is a good time to stop in and meet some of the faces your child will see everyday. If she has a particular interest, like science or creative writing, you may want to make it a point for her to meet that particular teacher ahead of time. If she has special health needs, be sure to touch base with the school nurse as soon as possible. If there are any emotional or social concerns, give the school counselor a heads-up.
Preparing now for what lies ahead can help your child look forward with confidence to the upcoming school year.
