Help Your Child Succeed in Middle School

What I Hope to Cover A few facts about the adolescent brain Why that makes Middle School challenging The developing brain meets middle school realities! How Parents can help so that children can succeed!!!

THE BRAIN!

Prefrontal Cortex The decision-making part of the brain: Planning Thinking about the consequences of actions Solving problems, and Controlling impulses This part of the brain is responsible for what is commonly called “Executive Functioning.”

Amygdala Associated with: emotions impulses aggression, and instinctive behavior.

Brain Changes During Adolescence Big Changes ! Unused connections get pruned away and others become strengthened to prepare for life ahead The amygdala undergoes these changes before the prefrontal cortex

The Mismatch The pre frontal cortex has yet to get overhauled, but the demands skyrocket! Children may react with strong emotions. They need our help if they are to succeed.

What is So Different (academically) about Middle School? Seven Separate Classes Every Day Short Term, Long-Term and Recurring Assignments Mountains of Paper

Strengths Needed to Tackle Middle School Challenges Planning Problem solving Thinking about the consequences of actions, and Controlling impulses All of these come from the pre-frontal cortex!

A Word About Homework Yes, there will be homework every single night! Set up a Routine! Hold them accountable – See the assignment – Track the grades

The Four Basic Success Strategies Write Things Down Stay Organized Plan Ahead Ask for Help

1. Write Things Down The agenda Short and Long Term Assignments On-line backup (ParentView) Don’t let them rely on it! Make sure they develop this habit !!!!

2. Stay Organized The 3 Piece Organizational System Agenda Two Pocket Folder Returned Work Envelope Check agenda, backpack and locker

3. Plan Ahead Students need a system to keep track of long-term obligations Agenda (if used correctly) is one option Help your child “chunk out” long term assignments into short term pieces with scheduled completion dates Share your procrastination horror stories!

4. Ask for Help Make sure they know it is a strength, not a weakness! Lots of help available Teachers hold office hours Lunches Study buddies/groups

Other Stuff Brains and Bodies are growing fast 9+ hours of sleep Limit screens before bed Don’t let them go to 1 st period on an empty stomach Don’t have them study on an empty stomach

Conclusion Middle School requires students to get good at a number of new skills they may struggle with Struggles may be met with strong emotional responses 6 th grade is when students need to develop success habits We do all we can but your children absolutely need your help in order to succeed.

Thank You for Coming!

References Raising Children Network, with the Centre for Adolescent Health. Your teenager’s developing brain. (2014, March 12). Retrieved August 10, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Facts for Families #95. The Teen Brain: Behavior, Problem Solving, and Decision Making. December, 2011.