A Guide on Helping Transition Your Middle Schooler for High School
Even though your child is at the fun age where they enjoy going to school and have a tight schedule of friends, middle school is a hectic time that can be difficult to transition from.
Middle school is not just a step towards high school, but it’s also an age where children are still shaped by their surroundings. And so is your child! This means that you have to prepare them for the challenges of high school even before they reach this level. Since middle schoolers are between childhood and adolescence, they may find going through high school a huge challenge.
So what do you do? Here are some things to think about when your child is transitioning from middle school to high school academy in Corpus Christi so that things can go smoothly for them currently and into the future.
How do you help your students transition to middle school?
- Keep the lines of communication open
- Help them get organized
- Make sure they know your expectations
- Help them find a new community
- Explore extracurricular activities
- Encourage healthy habits
- Make an attempt to get to know the teachers at your child’s new school
- Develop a plan for success
- Develop a healthy relationship
- Remain positive
1. Keep the lines of communication open
One of the most important and foremost things to do is communicate with your child about what they can expect in high school. Since it will be a change from middle school and knowing that it’s okay to talk to you about anything, children still need guidance, although these years are meant for independence and self-exploration.
Don’t be scared to talk to your child about how you did things in high school or what their older siblings did when they were younger! Your experiences will help them better prepare for what is ahead.
2. Help them get organized
Since high school students are expected to become more independent, having a system of organization can make the transition easier. Your child may want to coordinate with you to stay organized or even create a calendar for important dates or events. Show them how to keep a planner and set an example by using your own planner.
3. Make sure they know your expectations
Make sure your transitioning middle schooler knows what you expect of them and the behavior you would like to see from them. You should also keep in mind that private high school teachers in Corpus Christi expect more work and require more responsibility than middle school teachers.
This means that homework will be longer, but tests will get harder as well. As a result, you may have to increase the amount of time you spend with your child in order for things to stay on track.
4. Help them find a new community
While your child is in middle school, they may lose some friends due to natural transitions and new relationships that form with others. But know that it’s completely normal! This is just the way kids explore who they are during this stage of their development.
Now, do you need to worry? Not necessarily. Your transitioning child naturally likes to find new friends and will continue their circle of friends well into high school. If you see that your children are having a hard time making friends, it may be better if they stick with the same group of children from middle school since they know who those people are and are comfortable with them.
5. Explore extracurricular activities
Middle schoolers must have positive sources of support and encouragement outside of academics and home life. This can include getting involved with extracurricular activities that they are passionate about, such as sports or clubs, as it is a part of their social skill development.
There is also the chance that they will need to learn how to juggle schoolwork, family responsibilities, and time spent on these activities, so it may be a good idea to have an open dialogue with your child about what they want to do and how you can help them manage their time.
6. Encourage healthy habits
It’s never too soon to start encouraging your child to develop healthy habits. It will help them transition into high school and college, whether it be learning how to manage their sleep schedule or learning about nutrition and what foods are good for their bodies. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to share with your child what healthy habits you practice, too!
7. Make an attempt to get to know the teachers at your child’s new school
If you are moving to a different city or neighborhood, make sure you learn about the high school your child is going to attend. You should also make an effort to get to know the teachers in your child’s classes before school starts. This will help you be more involved in what they are learning and keep you informed about how well things are going at high school.
8. Develop a plan for success
Make sure everyone is on the same page regarding expectations and requirements for classes, homework, and extracurricular activities. This means that everyone, from the student to you as a parent to the teachers, needs to have a plan for success if your child is going to meet their academic goals.
9. Develop a healthy relationship
Just because you and your child are going in separate directions doesn’t mean that your relationship needs to be any different. However, you must continue to communicate with one another and create an honest, trusting space within the family unit. Make them feel like they can talk honestly with you about anything and ask questions without fear of judgment or blame.
10. Remain positive
When it comes down to it, try not to worry as much as you can about these changes. Transitioning into high school may seem daunting at first, but try to remain positive and look on the bright side of things. Some students find that it is easier for them to adjust to their new routine with this type of encouragement.
In conclusion
It’s normal for your child to feel stressed about school and even lose some friends as they transition into high school academies in Corpus Christi. However, they should know you support them and will be there to guide them throughout this phase. Make sure to take some time and talk with your child about the changes and encourage them as often as possible!
