Other top fears might include using lockers for the first time, dressing for gym, taking showers, or finding a friend to sit with at lunch. These fears are normal and a little investigative work should be able to comfort your tween and banish those fears.
Ease Your Tween's Middle School Fears
For starters, it's important to prepare your child for the middle school experience. Most middle schools hold an open house or an orientation for new students. Be sure your child attends because she'll learn the layout of the school, important rules and procedures, and where her classes are located. Walk through her schedule so she has an idea of how long it will take to get from one class to another. Keep in mind that she may need to use a rest room, or visit the drinking fountain along the way. If your child misses the orientation, or if the middle school doesn't offer one, call the principal and ask for a tour of the middle school during the summer months.
Once your tween has her new classroom schedule, help her organize her belongings so that she knows what she'll need to bring with her in between visits to her locker.
Explain to your child that she should avoid chit chatting with friends in between classes, as that might hold her up and make her late.
Finally, reassure her that she'll know her new middle school like the back of her hand in just a few weeks.
