THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE MIDDLE LEVEL YOUNGSTER
(THE TRANSESCENT)

A major area of confusion about middle level schools are the young people themselves. Middle grades kids are an interesting, interesting bunch. They're going through one of the most critical developmental times in their lives. Adults (particularly their parents) often think there is something wrong with them. All of a sudden they're different people. They're loud. Yup, they are! They have dramatic mood swings. Yes, they do! One minute they're happy and excited ... the next minute nothing is right and everybody hates them.

Physically, they look all out of whack. Big hands ... big feet ... short torso. It seems they've lost all coordination. You think, "Can't they just take three steps without stumbling or tripping or bumping into something." They're tremendously ego-centric. They're the center of attention, and, oh, yes, everyone (I mean everyone!) is watching every move they make. "Stop looking at me!" is heard often. And, they don't remember anything you say to them, but they remember everything they're friends say. They wonder about how they look, particularly to their friends. Through it all, they're a fun group to be around. At times, they're like a water fall, rushing and tumbling their way through the world. Other times they're quiet and contemplative, like the pool at the end of the water fall. They can soar like an eagle, and turn around and be in the depths of despair. They're an amazing group of individuals, and that's exactly what sets them apart from the those of us who are adults.

The middle grades kids are unique unto themselves. They're no longer children, but they aren't adolescents yet either. They're some place in between. Transescents are in transition. They're "tweeners." As an adult it is important to remember that you were once a "tweener" too, searching for your identity, just like they are. It's true they're different from the rest of us. But they're like each other. And, hey, what could be better than that!

To learn more about the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of the middle grades kid visit http://www.calvin.edu/academic/education/stronks/msbook/chap2.htm or http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/6624/character.html.

Be patient, caring, and loving. They love you. It may not seem like it but they do. It's important that they know you love them. So ... love them back!

Talk to them, not at them. Because we want to think of them as children, adults tend to talk at the transescent. Talking at is offensive to an adult. It's offensive to the transescent. Talk to them ... like they, too,can think and have ideas and are important..

Let them talk to each other. We are all social beings, at least some of the time. Transescents are very social beings. They want to interact with each other, so let them. This is important, especially if you're a teacher. Set up situations that allow them to talk, without "getting into trouble" for talking. They will anyway. It's their nature.

Treat them with respect. If you respect them, they will respect you.

Most importantly, Listen! Transescents typically don't think adults understand. You may not agree with them, but if they know you're listening, you've gone a long way in getting the transescent on your side, and they, in turn, will listen to you.

If you want to know more about interacting appropriately with middle grades kids, an excellent source is Early adolescence: Understanding the 10 to 15 year old by Gail A. Caissy. Find it at http://npin.org/books/caissy94.html