Early Adolescents’ Development across the Middle School Years: Implications for School Counselors

Abstract

This article discusses development during the early adolescent years with a focus on recent research on the biological, cognitive, self-identity, and motivational changes that occur during this time period and the implications of this research for middle school counselors. Peer influences on early adolescents also are discussed, with the issue of school bullying receiving special attention. Studies are presented about how positive relations between teachers and students, and counselors and students, can ease the transition. Research is presented showing the positive effects of counseling programs designed to ease students’ transition into middle school, along with suggestions for restructuring the roles of middle school counselors in order to be responsive to the developmental needs of early adolescents.

Addressing the Challenges Faced by Early Adolescents: A Mixed‐Method Evaluation of the Benefits of Peer Support

“…Early adolescence has long being recognised as a pivotal stage of development that is marked by a confluence of biological, psychological, and social change (e.g., Heaven 2001;Wigfield et al 2005). During this period, adolescents simultaneously deal with physical and cognitive transformations, increases in peer pressure, greater interest in the opposite sex, and the desire for personal independence.…”

Yes we can achieve in mathematics and why we don't : African American female eleventh and twelfth grade students in a career and technical setting.

“…This finding is consistent with mathematics education findings that support a drop in students' beliefs about their mathematics capabilities during adolescence (Wigfield, Lutz, & Wagner, 2005).…”

Principles and Practices for Building Academic Self-Efficacy in Middle Grades Language Arts Classrooms

“…This cycle of learned helplessness has been deemed in reading by Stanovich (1986) as the Matthew's effect, in which the "rich get richer and the poor get poorer." To reverse the Matthew's effect, literacy teachers play an important role to help adolescents develop their skills while maintaining a healthy sense of self-esteem and efficacy (Wigfield, Lutz, and Wagner 2005).…”