The transition from elementary school to middle school can take some adjustment. Your student will go from being in the oldest cohort of their elementary school to the youngest cohort of the new school. They’ll have a larger campus, more advanced schoolwork, a rotating schedule, and a more complicated social environment to navigate. Regardless of their academic or social standing, it can be tough for anyone.
From lockers to backpacks full of materials, middle school, with its full lineup of classes, brings a lot more to remember and keep organized. Middle schoolers may have a chance to choose some of their elective courses and help design their educational plans. Some kids may find these changes exciting, while others (and their parents) will find them overwhelming.
With so many big changes on the horizon, you might wonder when you should step in to help and when to let your child work things out on their own. Even teens and tweens, who often act like they want nothing to do with you, will benefit from support from parents and caregivers.
Helping Your Child Transition to Middle School
For most kids, beginning middle school is the first big educational transition, but it won’t be their last. After middle school, your child will transition again to high school. From there, they’ll transition to a college, university, certificate program, workplace, or another role.
Life is filled with transitions, and the skills your child learns now will serve them for the rest of their lives. Here are some ideas for helping your child make the transition to middle school as smoothly as possible.
- Back-to-School Night: Kids do best in school when their parents are involved in their academic success. Going to back-to-school night sets the stage for the school year and gives your child a chance to get the lay of the land.
Students can explore their new stomping grounds, get familiar with the campus, meet teachers, check out clubs, and more. You can also use that time to talk with teachers and support staff about your student’s challenges, goals, and opportunities. - Get Online: Many schools maintain a school website, offering information like school calendars, contact information, upcoming events, important dates, information on clubs or sports teams, assignments, grades, and other helpful information. Additionally, many teachers have a classroom website where you can find classroom information, resources, and assignments. Being familiar with the school’s online platforms will help set your child up for success.
- Make a Homework Spot: Your child’s homework responsibilities will likely increase in middle school. Middle school students have between one and two hours of homework each day, on average, and they’ll need a space to complete it.
You can help by providing a quiet environment free of distractions. It should be a space in your home free of TVs, phones, and other devices. A computer may be necessary to complete assignments, but make sure it’s free of distracting apps and other software. Make sure your child has paper, writing utensils, and whatever other materials they need, and remember to check in every once in a while to make sure your student stays on track. Offer support in classes you notice they may struggle in, and provide tutoring where necessary. - Practice self-advocacy: When children are very young, parents tend to do everything for them. As children get older, they must learn to be independent and advocate for themselves when they need help. This can be especially challenging during the middle school years when kids are balancing new and complicated social pressures from teachers and peers. Make sure your child can ask questions when they don’t understand something or need more information. Encourage them to speak up when they need help.
- Start the morning off on the right foot: While it’s tempting for kids to sleep in until the last minute, try your best not to jump straight out of bed and rush out the door. Set an alarm that gives your child enough time to shake the sleep off, get dressed, groom themselves, and eat breakfast before they leave the house. Kids who eat breakfast in the morning have more energy and are better equipped to take on the day’s challenges. Shoot for breakfast foods high in whole grains, fiber, and protein. Check with your child’s school to see if breakfast and/or lunch are available.
Getting a good start to the day begins with getting to bed on time the previous day. Make sure your child is getting to bed at a decent hour so they are getting enough sleep. That might mean limiting screen time, putting devices away, and minimizing distractions before bedtime. - Practice Organization: In elementary school, students usually have a single teacher and a single classroom. Once your child reaches middle school, they’ll need to balance several classes each day, each in different parts of the campus, with different teachers and expectations. Students have to manage Chromebooks, in-class assignments, homework, term projects, and more. Some basic organizational skills will save them more than a few headaches.
Talk with your student about how they’d like to manage their school organization. It could be a digital day planner, an accordion folder, or a 3-ring binder with a series of folders. Practice making a calendar and daily to-do list and prioritizing tasks like cleaning their room, taking out the trash, walking the dog, and reading a book. By practicing with ordinary at-home tasks, your student will be better prepared for balancing the varying demands of middle school. - Debrief Daily: Talk with your student about their school day and listen to what they tell you. Your child will be exposed to expanding social circles and new ideas during their school day. Staying involved in your child’s life is more important than ever. These discussions will help you stay connected with your child during a typically tumultuous time.
While everything at school might be chaotic, you can be a safe harbor for your child to return to. Talking every day about your child’s daily experiences is good for your relationship and also makes it clear that your child’s world is important to you. Kids take school and extracurricular activities more seriously when they know their parents and caregivers are invested in their success. - Be There: Big transitions and adjustments are challenging for kids and adults of all ages. It’s important to remember that while you might be a veteran of the middle school hallways, your child is experiencing a new environment and new stresses for the very first time.
Let your child know that it will take a little time to get used to their new circumstances, that things will settle, and that everything will be okay. Make sure they know you’ll always be there with an encouraging word and a helping hand (even if that means chatting in your room at 10 pm!). Remind them that their peers are facing the same challenges and that they’re not alone.
