Middle Schoolers: The Most Maligned And Misunderstood Age Group

Mar 15, 2023

One of the parents at my center sent me an article by Deborah Farmer Kris titled: “Your middle school child is the most amazing person.” I loved this author’s perspective on middle schoolers and wanted to give a play therapy perspective.

The author makes four points in the article that I add play therapy-based insight on:

– Middle schoolers are a jumble of contradictions
– Let your face light up
– Don’t take their outbursts personally
– Remember that your child is listening

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Links from this episode:
– Your middle school child is the most amazing person

References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press.
Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

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