Top Stresses For Middle Schoolers
What Kids Worry About Most When Transitioning from Elementary School
Jul 6, 2007
Middle schools are vastly different from elementary schools, and the transition can be a source of anxiety for many kids. If you know a soon-to-be middle schooler, check out the following “Top Five Stresses” about moving into middle school, complete with ideas for how to reassure and reduce anxiety.
What happens if I get lost?
Kids probably will get lost once or twice, and so will everyone else. Middle school teachers realize this, so rules about being prompt for class are a little more flexible in the beginning. After a couple of days, most kids know their way around pretty well. If your student is really worried, take him for a tour of the school over the summer, and see if you can map out his classes. Most middle schools can give you a copy of the schools floor plan.
What if I can’t get my locker open?
The more nervous kids are about the locker, the harder it is to open! Find out what kind of locks they use, and buy one to practice on over the summer. If you can’t do that, again remind your middle school student that everyone is just learning, and the teachers don’t expect kids to be locker experts on the first day. They will spend some time showing them how to do it. Good locker rules to live by: Make sure you NEVER give your combination to anyone, even your best friend! And always make sure your lock is LOCKED when you leave your locker.
What if the work is too hard?
If the work is dramatically harder than what your student is used to, encourage her to speak to her teacher or school counselor. She may have been put into the wrong class. Her middle school may use a different grouping system than the elementary school. Or her elementary teacher may have recommended her for a level that she is not quite ready for. If there’s a possibility of a mistake, she should speak up as soon as possible. This is a great opportunity to work on her problem solving skills.
What if I don’t have anyone to sit with at lunch?
Even if the whole grade doesn’t eat together, chances are there will be some friends in your student’s lunch period. In addition, there will probably be some kids there that are new to your entire school district, and don’t know ANYONE. Tell him that if he sees someone that looks lonely, he might consider inviting them to join him. Explain that they will probably be thrilled and relieved, and he might make a great new friend.
What if I’m bullied or harassed by older kids?
Remember, your student is moving from a school where she was among the oldest to a school with students who are almost in high school. Fears of how she will get along with older kids are natural. Find out what her school’s policies and procedures for bullying and sexual harassment are, and make sure she knows them. You might also want to role play ways of handling and responding to any bullying that she might encounter.
Please also check out Surviving Middle School for other ideas on this subject.
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