Remembering High School...Can You?
One of the most exciting and scary transitions in life is
starting junior high school. Not only is it a new environment
and peer group, but also the daily schedule can be much more
intense and stressful. For many students in junior high school
this is the first time they are assigned lockers--and the first
time they are responsible for so much stuff that they need
lockers. They have to learn the routine of transferring to a new
classroom for each subject as well as functioning in a different
peer group in each subject.
Junior high school also just happens to coincide with other
stressors in the young students' lives, many related to puberty.
Boys are dealing with voice changes, acne, and trying to figure
when and how they are supposed to be men. Girls may temporarily
be taller than the boys at an age when they are already
self-conscience about everything real and imagined about their
bodies and images.
To help your child transition into junior high school, talk
about the situations and scenarios they are going to face ahead
of time. Do I lot of "what would you do if" dialog to get them
thinking ahead of time how to positively handle tough
situations. Think of questions like: "What if a group of
popular/mean/different kids was talking in front of your locker
and you needed to get your books quickly or you'd be late for
class. How would you approach them to be received nicely and
possibly even make friends in the exchange?"
Keep stressors reduced at home as much as possible. Help your
student develop a night-before and early morning routine that
helps them start the day rested, nourished and prepared. If you
have concerns about your child's progress as they maneuver
through the first weeks of junior high school, contact the
student's teachers to get feedback on what assistance or
concentration would be helpful in making sure the student
excels. Timely feedback can help your child get back on track
before their grades slip.
Finally, remember that junior high school is a time for fun.
Don't let your student get bogged down in so much homework and
school activities that he or she doesn't have time for plain old
play. Junior high school is a transition period that should be
equally praised for the new developing adult and the emerging,
ever-present child inside.