Appropriate age:
Middle School

Description of technique:
It can be challenging for children to go from being the oldest to the youngest kids at school. Help make the transition easier by preparing your child for the experiences ahead.

Instructions:
1. Have your child take a visit to the school during the summer to orient him or herself to the new surroundings.
2. One exciting component of middle/junior high school is that your child will have more than one teacher.
3. Have him or her get a school schedule to navigate the route that he or she will take each day.
4. By familiarizing him or herself prior to school starting, your child will feel more confident and not so ôgreenö those first few weeks.
5. Prepare your child to be aware of the rules and opinions that are created by other kids.
6. Help him or her to realize that he or she is doesnÆt need to follow a crowd.
7. Encourage your child to be a creative and independent thinker.
8. Support your child to have the strength to be his or her own person.
9. Encourage your child to define his or her place within the ôsystemö, e.g., joining a club, participating in a play, joining a sports team, etc.
10. Once he or she settles into the new program, watch your child grow and expand.