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Middle Years Page 2 |
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Emotions in the middle Moody. Private. Self-conscious. If this sounds like your middle grader, you're not alone. At this age, children's bodies and minds are growing quickly. Here are ways to help them handle these rapid changes. |
Being Alone It's natural for middle graders to spend some time by themselves. Show your child that you respect their growing need for privacy. Make sure they have free time between school, after-school activities, chores and family time. |
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In the mood Physical growth and worries about friends, sports, and schoolwork can cause moodiness. Let your child know you're always there to talk. A quiet statement, such as "I remember what it feels like not to be invited to a party," encourages kids to open up about what's bothering them. |
Fitting in Middle graders are very self-conscious. Help your child meet kids with similar interests by encouraging them to participate in at least one activity. Example: a sport, after-school club, volunteering at the library.
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Activity Partner up for reading fun Share a good book with your middle grader. It's a great way to spark a love of reading and spend quality time together.
Here are some titles of short books many middle graders love: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls |
Parent to Parent Life with a middle grader My son Alex turned 12 last month. Suddenly, my easygoing "little boy" was arguing with me about everything from shoe brands to world peace! He also has a new need for independence. He says, "Stop treating me like a kid!" almost every day. I called my sister, whose two boys are a few years older than Alex. She had some interesting ideas. Instead of arguing about who's right or wrong, she said I should encourage Alex to express his opinions. Besides learning a lot about how he looks at the world, I can make sure to slip in how I feel about things. I've also stopped reminding him about the simple stuff, like getting his lunch money in the morning. He's happier knowing I realize he's growing up. Time is flying by so fast. I'm going to do everything I can to make these "middle years" enjoyable for both of us!
Q & A - Learning from report cards Q: My daughter brought home some low grades. What can I do to help her improve them? A: Start by discussing her report card together. First, mention any improvements or successes. "Great! You brought up your science grade. How'd you do it?" Next move on to the low grades. Ask her to tell you what she thinks the problem is. "Hmmm. Here's a D in English. Why is it such a challenge?" If she seems confused by the grade, suggest a meeting to ask the teacher where she needs some extra help. Once you find out, ask your daughter to map our a plan to improve the grade. Then, go over it together. Example: "I'll spend 30 extra minutes daily studying English. I'll work with a tutor once a week at lunchtime." |
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Our purpose: To provide busy parents with practical ideas that promote school success, parent involvement, and more effective parenting. Resources for Educators, Inc., Publisher of Middle Years, 296 Victory Road, Winchester, VA, 22602, 540-723-0322, © Copyright 1999 Resources for Educators, Inc. rfecustomer@rfeonline.com |
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Choose a book on their reading list.
