Your Middle Schooler Is Already Learning Psychology

Middle schoolers may never have taken a psychology class, but they are already asking psychological questions.

Why do my friends influence me so much?

Why do I remember some things and forget others?

Why do I get angry so quickly?

Why do people act differently in groups?

Why is it so hard to change a bad habit?

This makes the middle school years an excellent time to introduce psychology in age-appropriate ways. Rather than waiting until high school or college, parents can help young adolescents understand emotions, motivation, learning, relationships, communication, peer pressure, and resilience.

These discussions can also give Christian parents natural opportunities to talk about identity, wisdom, character, responsibility, compassion, and faith.

Take-away: Psychology does not have to begin with a thick textbook. Start with the questions your middle schooler is already asking about everyday life.

That idea became the foundation for my Christian Middle School Psychology 36-Week Curriculum, which moves from the brain, memory, emotions, and identity into friendships, family relationships, social influence, stress, and resilience.