7 Ways to Help Children Make the Most of Middle School

Many of us may look back on our middle-school years as some of the most awkward years of our lives. Somewhere between child and young adult, the middle schooler experiences rapid emotional, social, and physical changes that make these few years challenging.

We’ve put together a list of proactive tips for educators and schools to share with parents, as it may be hard for them to know which skills can guide the middle schooler in the right direction.

  1. Help your child develop organizational skills. For example, you can support your child’s organization of school supplies and assignments. Learning time organization is also essential at this age. Talk to them about due dates for projects, and show them how to use tech tools or a whiteboard to track important dates.
  2. Open up the lines of communication. Middle schoolers often tend to reach out to their peer groups for support rather than their parents, as they want to exert their independence and may feel adults can’t relate to them. Take time to assure your child that you are a safe place for them to share without judgment. Remind them that you once experienced many of the same challenges as they do. Then, guide them with advice to make their best choices.
  3. Teach your child study skills. As your child crosses the middle school bridge towards high school, their academic task demands will increase. Help your child learn how to take notes from a lecture. Show them how to outline an essay before drafting it. Talk to them about how they best remember information and how they can use their learning strengths to their advantage. Teaching your child study skills will prepare them for high school and beyond.
  4. Attend parent conference days or volunteer time at your child’s school. Research shows that parental involvement positively affects a child’s academic and social progress. Even if your child’s school does not offer specific conference days, schedule a time for phone or video conferences with a few of their teachers. By being involved, you can show your child that you care.
  5. Get ahead of academic struggles with supplemental programs to close the gaps. When you see your child struggling in math or English, don’t wait to address the problem. Your child’s frustration will only grow while their confidence diminishes. Adaptively offers convenient, online supplemental education for the core subjects of math and English language arts to help kids get the most out of their learning experiences.
  6. Emphasize the importance of homework. Helping preteens and teens establish a routine for homework that includes a regular time and place to complete assignments will help them understand that homework is a priority. It’s also a good idea to check in with your child occasionally to talk about their class and extracurricular load to see if any adjustments need to be made.
  7. Help your middle schooler enter each day at their best. Did you know middle schoolers need between 9-12 hours of sleep? Many kids, however, are functioning each day on less. Technology, homework, and extracurriculars may interfere with nightly sleep, so set family schedules to ensure your child receives adequate rest. In addition to sleep for mental alertness, a middle schooler’s diet is essential. Provide nutrient-dense, low-sugar, and convenient breakfast and snack options to keep your child’s mind well-fueled.

Adaptively provides students with learning support to achieve success.

Adaptively works with schools, districts, and afterschool programs to bring the best academic support for students in kindergarten to 12th grade. We offer excellent programs to engage students of all ages in their learning. We’re building minds and unlocking futures by providing educators with an all-inclusive learning management system centered around personalized learning to accelerate academic growth. To learn more about our platform, contact us today!