INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EDUCATION
SPONSORED CONTENT
Making the Most
of Middle School
Makes for Successful
Students in High
School and Beyond
By: Shannon Mullholland, Ed.D.
Head of Middle School at Sewickley Academy
E
ducational transitions can be stressful for parents. We worry if our child
is ready for school at age five or ready for college after high school.
Over the past 20 years as an educator and administrator for middle
and high school students, parents often ask me, “How can I help prepare my
child for the transition from middle school to high school and beyond?” It’s
certainly a question with more than one answer and is often dictated by the
needs and development of individuals. That said, one critical 21 st century
skill, which most children need to develop, is self-monitoring. By this I mean
the evolving ability to eliminate distraction and drive the focus on the task at
hand, completing that task with intention, pride, and best effort. The middle
school years aim to develop a deeper love of learning while “learning how
to learn.” Parents and teachers can support and enhance this development,
with a balance of structure, independence, and autonomy, which lays the
groundwork for good habits in high school and beyond.
Access to high stimulus distraction has increased exponentially over the years.
Middle school children have a hard time pulling themselves away from social
media, gaming, and YouTube. At Sewickley Academy, we value the home and
school partnership to help our students develop the necessary skills to learn
without distractions. Here are a few tips to consider how families at home and
educators at school can complement the building blocks of self-regulation.
Limit Screen Time
Set up a “parking lot” device station at home. When it’s time
for high focus or concentration in order to complete school
work, household duties, or practice a skill, children are more
productive when their devices are not near them.
Create a Daily Routine
Find a location in your home where your child can work
productively and consistently – and with adult oversight
nearby. Bedrooms are frequently not the place for middle
school students. Completing school work at the same time
each evening supports their routines and habits.
Support Good Sleep Hygiene
Children who nap in the afternoon have a more difficult time
getting to sleep at a reasonable bedtime. Exposure to “screens”
close to bedtime can interfere with the ability to fall asleep. At
bedtime, “park” cell phones and other devices in the kitchen
or your bedroom. If your child needs a rest after school or
activities, try to limit it to 30 minutes.
Involve your Child
Have a conversation with your child about how to set up
home-based routines suggested above and add your own
refinements together. Kids are more likely to “buy in” to a
new program if they have a voice. Make sure to notice their
efforts, i.e. “I noticed how you really stayed focused on your
Mandarin homework earlier. Do you feel good about the time
you spent?”
Praise the Good Work
Success will mean that your child is developing habits that
support self-monitoring such as eliminating distractions,
following routines including: when and where to complete
tasks, taking short breaks, and developing good sleep habits.
These habits will certainly lead to heightened productivity,
motivation, and success in high school and beyond.
Prior to this serving as Head of Middle School, Dr. Mulholland spent 15 years
as the Director of Support Services at Sewickley Academy, giving her firsthand
insight in how to support students to become their very best selves.
inspiring and educating hearts, minds, and hands
Limit Breaks
A 10 to 15-minute break between tasks should give your child
enough time to recharge and refocus. Children often want to
take breaks for an hour or more to nap, play a game, or use
their devices for entertainment. These lengthy breaks tend
to make it harder to shift back into gear to get started again.
However, the risk of losing track of time during the break is
also greater.
PRE-K—GRADE 5
GRADES 6—8
Visit sewickley.org today.
GRADES 9—12
CADEMY
S EWICKLEY A
FOR WHO YOU ARE. FOR WHO YOU WILL BECOME.
CRANBERRY ❘ SPRING 2019
21