Be prepared for developmental changes during child's shift to middle school
Aug. 26, 2002

By MARY KATHARINE MARONEY
Special to the Observer-Dispatch

Many school-age children and adolescents will be attending new school environments this fall, due to a family move to a new area or the move from elementary to middle school or to high school.

Although children are expected to cope with normal changes in their lives, each developmental level presents unique challenges that require adaptation and a certain degree of mastery.

Most parenting information focuses either on preparing a young child to start school for the first time or on dealing with academic and behavioral problems.

The following information may shed some light on how young adolescents cope with attending a new school.

Changes occur during shift to middle school

Early adolescence (ages 11 to 14) is a formative period of rapid physical, cognitive and social changes.

It is a time when development of the young adolescent centers on developing a personal identity and value system based upon — yet separate from — the family value system.

Peer relationships take on greater importance. Physical and emotional changes are directly related to accepting and achieving a positive body image.

The transition to middle school coincides with these developmental changes that have an impact on the adjustment of young adolescents.

Studies have shown that, overall, the transition from elementary to middle school is very positive.

Most middle school students said they liked going to the new school because they liked having more than one teacher, more opportunities for independence, a wider range of classes and felt more “grown up.”

On the other hand, some students perceived the larger school as more impersonal and felt a certain level of anonymity.

Gender differences define transition

Research evidence also shows gender differences in coping with the transition to a new school environment.

For girls and boys, being accepted by peers is beginning to take on increased importance.

Change and loss of friends and familiar environment are factors that commonly impact on self-concept.

For girls, it is much more likely that they will be in the midst of physical developmental changes that may affect their self-perception.

Their best friend from elementary school may suddenly develop new interests and move toward a different group of friends.

A girl may begin to refer to her peers as “the popular ones” or “the smart ones.”

Studies show that young adolescent boys tend to stay with the same group of friends during this transition.

For young adolescents who have recently moved to a new school district, these expected developmental changes take on new meaning.

There will be the additional changes of leaving old friends, making new friends, being accepted into already established peer groups and adjusting to a new educational community with its norms and expectations.

Success in making a positive transition is related to whether such changes are perceived by both adolescent and parent as challenges to be overcome or opportunities to be experienced.

This is where parents can play a major role in coping.

Parents have tools to help children cope

It is important to recognize that these are normal developmental conflicts. Another critical element is that the parent needs to respect and encourage the young adolescent’s sense of competency.

It is natural for parents to want to protect their children from the stresses of change.

To do so, however, would actually contribute more to a child’s feelings of inadequacy.

Children must learn to cope with change as part of developing a sense of mastery and emotional health.

Here are some suggestions:

• Be a good listener. Remember that talk is the activity of the mouth; listening is the activity of the heart. To be a good listener, you must be physically and emotionally available.
• Reflect on your own ways of coping with stress as children learn both good and bad from parental behaviors. If possible, take a tour of the new school with your child prior to the first day of school.
• Communicate any concerns with appropriate teachers. If there are other known young adolescents in the neighborhood, consider having a picnic or similar activity before school begins to give them an opportunity to socialize.
• Obtain information about school organizations and activities in which your child may be interested. Many middle schools have music, art or sport programs. It is always easier to establish relationships with others who have similar interests.

Mary Katharine Maroney, Ph.D., R.N., is an associate professor and director of the nursing program at Utica College. She can be reached via e-mail at mmaroneyutica.ucsu.edu.