By Justin Miller

Special to The Lowndes Signal

School hallways will soon be filled with students once again. The new school year means many students are embarking on a new academic journey. Making the transition from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school can be both intimidating and exciting. There are several things that parents and guardians can do to help their child as they make this transition.

“While your child may say that they do not need your help, you should still go over a few things to help them navigate their new academic and social world,” said Adrienne Duke Marks, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System human development and family studies specialist.

Many incoming middle schoolers are going through a lot of changes all at once. Some are attending a brand-new school in a different part of town. Others may be staying on the same school grounds but entering a new building. No matter the situation, these students are bound to experience a lot of new changes.

“Researchers have found that preteens worry about three types of changes: logistical, social and academic,” Duke Marks said. “When we talk about logistics, it is things like figuring out where classes and bathrooms are. Social changes are all about things like making friends and interacting with older students. The academic side of this includes managing more homework and tougher assignments.”

Duke Marks, also an associate professor in the Auburn University College of Human Sciences, said parents and guardians can help their child navigate these changes in a few ways.

* Make sure you both know the school’s rules.

* Attend orientations and learn the layout of the new building. Point out classrooms and bathrooms.

* Let them organize their assignments and activities by using binders, calendars, planners, etc.

* Help them learn how to study using a method that best suits them.

* Encourage them to get involved in clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities.

* Move electronic devices out of their bedroom to help them sleep well and help you monitor them online.

“Before school starts, find out what your child is expecting from middle school,” Duke Marks said. “What are they excited about? What are they nervous about? Ask open-ended questions at different time points and be prepared to listen.”

Entering high school is an important time in a student’s life, as they start to discover more about who they are as a person. Students also start to have more of a say in the classes that they take and have more options for socializing and extracurricular activities.

“Developmentally, high schoolers are still in a period of massive changes in their bodies and brains,” Duke Marks said. “Parental support is essential, as students make these important decisions that can impact the next four years of their life.”

Parents and guardians can help their high schooler navigate changes by using many of the same options listed above for middle schoolers. However, with the addition of new class options, this is one additional area where parents can provide support.

Depending on the school, there are often class options that incorporate college credits, vocational certifications and other aspects beyond normal curriculum offerings. Duke Marks said parents and guardians should be active in helping their child understand their options and how they impact their future.

“Parental involvement is still important in high school,” Duke Marks said. “Studies have shown that when parents or guardians are involved, students achieve more, are better adjusted and are less likely to drop out of school.”

For more information, read the Extension Briefs, “Helping Your Child Transition to Middle School” and “Helping Your Child Transition to High School.” These and other Extension resources are available at www.aces.edu.