Middle School Transition for Kids

School Tour

• Middle schools are usually much larger than elementary schools, and children move to different classrooms throughout the day, rather than staying in one classroom. Help your child feel more secure at his new school by visiting the school before the school year begins. Take a tour of the school and get a copy of your child's class schedule. Walk together to each class, so that your child will know where his classrooms are located. Visit the locker area, gym, library and cafeteria.

Meet Faculty and Staff

• Students in elementary schools generally have one classroom teacher per year; in middle school, your child may be taught by a different teacher for each subject. Help your child to feel comfortable with her new teachers by taking time to meet each one before the school year begins. Encourage your child to talk to his new teacher about his academic and extracurricular interests. Take the opportunity to meet other staff members at the school, including the principal and secretary staff and librarians. Meet as many people as possible so that your child will be surrounded by familiar faces on her first day in middle school.

New Peers

• Middle schools are typically much larger than elementary schools, and your child will probably be encountering new students in each class she attends. Encourage your child to make friends with new students in the classroom. In addition, encourage your child to take part in the extracurricular activities that middle school offers, including sports teams such as track and football, as well as band, choir and foreign language clubs. Extracurricular activities offer students a simple way to meet new friends and engage in activities they enjoy.

Study Skills

• In middle school, students receive grades on the work they complete, rather than credit as in elementary school. This focus on grades combined with new subjects and additional homework may make your child nervous about his academic performance. Help your child with this transition by creating a study space for him in your home. Include folders for each subject, as well as a calendar or planner for him to keep track of homework and long-term assignments. Provide highlighters, sticky notes and other supplies to help her succeed. Offer to help your child get organized in school, and encourage her to complete her school work on schedule.

Communication and Stress Management

• Let your child know that she can come to you at any time to talk about her frustrations with attending middle school. Do not pry, but maintain open communication. Help her find healthy ways to deal with the stress of a new school, new teachers and new friends with exercise, breathing techniques or talking to someone who understands.