Learn about the development of middle school-aged children and how it affects identity formation, peer relationships, and the need for independence. Nancy Moran, LCSW, will highlight and offer recommendations for managing social difficulties, and other stressors that influence early adolescence, including increasing demands for academic organization, how to promote academic independence, and the ill effects of bullying.

1. Early Adolescent Stressors:
From Books to Bullying
Presented by:
Nancy Moran, LCSW
August 21, 2013

3. Major Question in Adolescence:
Who Am I?
• Social relationships are key
• Experimentation with different roles
-activities
-behaviors
• Goal is to form a strong identity
• Determine one’s sense of direction

4. Possible Outcomes?
• A strong sense of self
• Feelings of competence
VS.
• Insecurity
• Confusion

5. Tremendous Growth
• Emotional
• Physical
• Mental Ability

6. Physical Changes
• Anxiety
» Vs.
• Pride

7. Social Relationships
• Group is paramount
• Seek sameness to affirm self
• Express criticism of self and others

8. What if it’s not working?
• May be due to social immaturity.
• Provide structured opportunities to
socialize
• Be creative and think of different
settings
• Involve your child in the brainstorming

9. The Cognitive Model
Situation
Thought
Body
Response
Behavior
Feeling

10. Check In
• What am I imagining my child is feeling?
How accurate is this?
• Is this temporary or permanent?
• What are other kids doing?
• Can my child manage this?
• Are my thoughts extreme or
exaggerated?

11. Changing Moods
Cognitive Distortions are common
thinking errors
-Fortune telling
-Mind reading
-All or nothing thinking

13. The Cognitive Model
Situation
Thought
Body
Response
Behavior
Feeling

15. Changes to the Frontal Lobe
• Responsible for the
ability to reason
• Key in decision
making

16. Internal Changes
• Burst of electrical and physiological
development
• Number of brain cells doubles in one
year
• Neural networks are radically
reorganized

17. Cognitive and Intellectual
Development
• Strong inward focus
• Concentrates on self
• Very concerned about others’
perceptions
• Idea that others are scrutinizing
“Imaginary Audience”

20. What’s the evidence?
• Is there another possible explanation?
• Mind reading
• Are you ignoring the positive?
• If it is true, how can you manage it?

21. Boys start later and take longer
• Can mean impulsivity
- Concrete/ uncritical in their
thinking
• Difficulty with hypothetical thinking

22. What can I expect?
• Dramatic decline in time spent with
family (50%)
- Girls spend time alone or with friends
- Boys spend time alone

23. Challenges of Middle School
• Multiple teachers (transitions)
• New peers
• Larger setting

24. Common Fears
• What if I get lost??
• What if my locker won’t open??
• What if all my friends are in the
other pod??

25. Evaluate and Plan
• How likely is it?
• Has this ever happened before?
• Were others OK?
• Problem solve
• Will you be able to manage it?

26. Mistakes are part of the process!
• Put it in perspective
• Underscore the
lesson
• Provide
encouragement
• Express confidence

27. Then vs Now
Then
• Manage backpack
• Assist with homework
• Check work and provide
feedback
• Close contact with
teacher
Now
• Provide organizational
tools
• Encourage time
management
• Discourage distractions
• Provide input when asked
or for big projects
• Limit Power School

28. Step away from the computer!!
Plan to check your child’s grades once per week.

29. Your Changing Parental Role
• Promote self-advocacy skills
• Instill a sense of confidence
• Allow opportunities for problem solving

30. In the Trenches
• Teacher relationships
• Peer conflicts
• Relationships with other parents
• Academic struggles

31. Parents: How can I help?
• Provide proper encouragement
• Reinforce exploration
• Promote self-advocacy skills
• Allow opportunities for problem solving
• Instill a sense of competence and
confidence

32. Skill Building
• Organization
• Time management
• Making new friends

33. Golden Rule:
Afford autonomy within the limits of safety.