Middle school aged children are in a developmental stage that is referred to as early adolescence. Early adolescence (10-14 years old) is a time of many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. The transition from elementary school to middle school can be a stressful, overwhelming time for children in this age group. Hormones, and bodies change as puberty begins. Students may be worried about these changes and how they are looked at by others. Some students may experience substantial drops in self-esteem as a result of these things. While this is more prominent in females, it is seen in males as well. At this age, students make more of their own choices about friends, appearance, sports, studying, and school. They become more independent, with their own personality and interests. This heightened emphasis on independence may cause students in this age group to push adults for more privacy than they were previously given. As middle school aged children experience physical, mental, emotional and social changes, their perceptions of themselves begin to change accordingly. This shift in students' sense of self is a key characteristic of their social and emotional development. By using what we know about the social and emotional development of middle school aged children, we can adjust our lessons to maximize their academic learning. |
Social & Emotional Development
During Middle School, young adolescents are developing their own self-identity and their identity among their peers. Students are likely to:
| Erikson's Stages of Development Identity vs Role Confusion Students are experiencing mixed feelings about where they fit into society, and may experiment with several different roles, until they achieve a sense of identity. They may experience self-doubt, embarrassment, feelings of awkwardness and isolation, confusion, and depression Due to these negative feelings, some students will turn to a path of delinquency and rebellion, or become paralyzed by feelings of inferiority. However the majority of students will become well adjusted to the emotional challenges posed during this stage, and will develop their own sense of ideals. ________________________________________ Social Media has become a dominant force in young adolescents' lives Social Media (any site that allows social interaction) has given today's youth a portal for entertainment and communication. It is of utmost importance that parents and educators understand these sites to encourage healthy use. *Monitor for potential problems such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content.* ________________________________________ Bullying affecting all those involved Though boys were more likely to be defined as bullies, these students will display school problems such as difficulty getting along with classmates, in addition to experiencing more conduct problems. In contrast, the victims were more emotionally distressed and socially marginalized by their classmates. |