We Forget That Middle Schoolers Are Still Very Much Kids

I think we forget that middle schoolers are still very much kids.

Yes, they want independence.
Yes, they roll their eyes.
Yes, they care deeply about what everyone thinks of them.

But their brains are still under construction.

Middle schoolers are in this strange in-between space where they are pushing hard to grow up while also desperately needing reassurance that they are not expected to already be there. They want autonomy, but they also want safety. They want to feel capable, but they are wildly insecure about getting things wrong.

That tension shows up everywhere. In behavior. In motivation. In resistance.

But here’s the reminder we need.
Fun is not immaturity. Engagement is not babying. Play is not the opposite of rigor.

Engagement helps middle schoolers regulate their nervous systems, access curiosity, and stay present long enough to actually learn. When learning feels heavy, serious, or constantly evaluative, their brains check out. When learning feels inviting, interactive, and human, they lean in.

They do not need to be rushed into adulthood.
They need permission to learn like kids while growing into who they are becoming.