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Middle Years Newsletter: October 2020

By Garber, Andrew on October 30, 2020

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Middle Years Newsletter October 2020 (Click to view full article)

Waiting Patiently:

Does your child expect everything to happen right now? If a friend doesn't call or text back immediately or his teacher hasn't graded his project yet, encourage him to come up with possible explanations. Maybe his friend is watching a movie or the teacher has 100 assignments to grade. Thinking reasonably can help him be patient.

Digital Models:

Tweens may not be aware of how electronic devices affect their moods. Encourage your middle grader to notice how she feels when she's online. For instance, a virtual pottery-making app might be relaxing, but a drama-filled group chat could stress her out. Suggest that she stick to activities that make her feel good--online and in real life. 

Did you know?

Research shows that most tweens would like to talk more with their parents about schoolwork. Ask your middle grader to share what he's learning in his classes. Be specific: "What did you work on in science today?" or "Tell me about the book you discussed in English today."

Worth quoting:

"The time is always right to do what is right." --Martin Luther King Jr.

Just for fun:

Q: When does Friday come before Thursday?

A: In the dictionary.

Hints for homework:

Maddy has her evening planned. She'll do her math homework before dinner, then follow up dessert with French and history. Afterward, she can unwind from a busy day. 

Sound impossible? It's not. Help your middle grader make homework go like clockwork with these strategies. 

Think it through:

Before your youngster beings, have her make a to-do list. Example: Write a poem, read history chapter, solve 10 math problems. 

Then, suggest that she number the tasks, from toughest to easiest, and start with the hard stuff. This "save the easiest for last" strategy will help her finish on a high note, perhaps inspiring her to get in some extra studying.

Think about time:

Ask your child to consider different time slots she can use to get work done. For instance, maybe she could set aside a weekend morning or Sunday night. Also, some middle graders have time during study period or after lunch to tackle homework. Encourage your child to complete one assignment during school hours each day. The more she does then, the more time she'll have for fun later. 

Think positive:

Help your middle grader see homework as a chance to prove her independence by getting her work done on time and doing it by herself. 

Boost her confidence by telling her, "Homework gives you a chance to show all that you know." And give her a thumbs up when she does just that. 

For the rest of the articles in the Middle Years Newsletter, click here.