A child’s development is an individual and continual process. The following outlines the typical developmental characteristics of a middle school student. Keep in mind that some of the youth in our program may be “behind” or “advanced” in any of these areas.

General Characteristics

• Testing limits; a “know-it-all” attitude
• Vulnerable; emotionally insecure; fear of rejection; mood swings
• Identification with admired adults
• Bodies going through physical changes that affect personal appearance

Physical Characteristics

• Mature at varying rates of speed. Girls tend to be taller than boys for the first two years of early adolescence and are ordinarily more physically developed than boys
• Good coordination of small muscles; interest in art, crafts, models and music
• Early maturing youth may be upset about their size (as their adult supporter, you can help by listening and explaining)
• Very concerned about their appearance; very self conscious about their physical changes
• Face responsibility for sexual behavior before full emotional and social maturity has occurred
• Experience biological development five years sooner than adolescents of the last century, the average age of menarche has dropped from seventeen to twelve years of age
• May have bad diet and sleep habits and, as a result, low energy levels

Social Characteristics

• Acceptance by friends becomes very important
• Cliques start to develop
• Team games become popular
• Often have “crushes” on other people
• Friends set the general rules of behavior
• Feel a strong need to conform; dress and behave like their peers in order to “belong”
• Very concerned with what others say and think about them
• Have a tendency to try to manipulate others to get what they want
• Interested in earning their own money

Emotional Characteristics

• Very sensitive to praise and recognition; feelings are easily hurt
• Because friends are very important, can be conflicts between adults’ rules and friends’ rules
• Caught between being a child and being an adult
• Loud behavior may hide their lack of self confidence
• Are moody, restless; often feel self-conscious and alienated; lack self esteem
• Challenge authority figures; test limits of acceptable behavior
• Want to know and feel that significant adults, including parents and teachers, love and accept them; need frequent affirmation
• Are impacted by high level of mobility in society; may become anxious and disoriented when peer group ties are broken because of family relocation to other communities
• Look at the world more objectively; look at adults more subjectively and are critical of them

Mental Characteristics

• Tend to be perfectionists; if they attempt too much, may feel frustrated
• Are searching to form a conscious sense of individual uniqueness “who am I”
• Want more independence but know they need guidance and support
• Consider academic goals as a secondary level of priority; personal social concerns dominate thoughts and activities
• Confront hard moral and ethical questions for which they are unprepared to cope
• Are reflective, analytical, and introspective about their thoughts and feelings
• May have lengthy attention span