Characteristics of Middle School Children

Parents often become concerned or worried about changes in their child during the middle school years.  Early adolescence begins around age ten.  This is the time when a child reaches a peak—a peak of intellectual, physical, psychological, and social growth.  The concerns and needs of early adolescence are very distinct, yet each child is an individual with unique characteristics. 

Intellectual

v     Wide range of cognitive development

v     Moving from concrete to abstract thought

v     Extremely curious

v     Prefers active learning

v     Prefers working with peers during learning activities

v     Enjoys meaningful learning – developing skills that relate to real life

v     Exhibits independent, critical thought

v     Personal-social concerns are primary; academic goals are secondary

v     Experience metacognition – understand what they know and do not know

Physical

v     Increases in height, weight, heart size, lung capacity, and muscular strength

v     Mature at varying rates – girls earlier than boys, typically

v     Lack of coordination due to uneven muscle/bone development

v     Marked differences in development among children

v     High levels of energy, that may be followed by long periods of idleness

v     Appearance becomes more important

v     Sex roles being defined

Middle School Home