Your Almost 6th Grader
preparing for the the transition from 5th grade
Transition Means Change
Physical Changes
With the rapid changes taking place in thier bodies, students often experience "awkwardness" regarding thier bodies, can find themselves fatigued, and are also restless.
Nutrition is especially important during this time to feed thier growing minds and bodies (literally!)
Cognitive Changes
Your student's brain is changing from concrete (black and white) thinking to abstract thinking. In addition, they are in the beginnings of becoming more self-reflective and have the ability to think about thinking. They are also developing skills in deductive reasoning, problem solving, thinking critically, planning, and controlling impulses.
Typically, your student thrives in an active learning environment, being the most successful at learning information that is rich and engaging. With that being said, as they can only retain about 5 to 7 bits of information - these students benefit from being taught how to organize as they, developmentally, don't have the ability to just do it on thier own.
Emotional and Social Changes
The changes that you can expect to see include:
- Mood Swings, with peaks of intensity and unpredicability
- A need to release energy, often resulting in sudden, apparently meaningless outburst of activity.
- Tend to be self-conscious, lacking in self-esteem, and highly sensitve to personal criticism.
- May exhibit immature behavior because their social skills frequently lag behind their mental and physical maturity.
- Seeking to become independent and forming an adult identity
- Behave in ways that are associated with their sex, as sex role identity increases.
- Very concerned about peer acceptance and have a strong need to belong to a group.
- Believe that their personal problems, feelings, and experiences are unique to themselves.
- Are psychologically vulnerable because at no other stage in development are they more likely to encounter so many differences between themselves and others.
How you can prepare as a parent
- Understand that Middle School is NOT Elementary School
- Expect changes in your child and be sensitive to them
- Supervise the completion of all homework
- Create a routine at home and stick to it
- Allow your child to take charge of their own learning
- Encourage them to speak up when they need help and hold them accountable.
- Encourage the development of multiple sources of self-esteem
- Teach study skills
- Speak postively about school. Your attitude often determines thier attitude.
- Stay involved. The security in parental involvement ensures the growth of independence in your child.
Have More Questions?
Mrs. Panariso will also be heading into the classroom at the end of the year to faciliate a classroom lesson for our 5th graders to ease their fears about Middle School.
Email: tpanariso@blracademy.org
Phone: (719) 570-0075 .170