But they’re also changing intellectually.

You can expect your middle schooler to gradually move from thinking based only on his personal “real” or concrete experiences—to thinking that is more hypothetical or abstract. For example, he might imagine what the future might be like, or ponder “what if . . . ?”.

Parent can help boost children’s thinking abilities by doing things like these:

• Encourage children to ask questions about their world.

• Ask them to imagine what will happen next . . . in a book they’re reading, a program they’re watching or a situation they’re involved in.

• Actively listen to what children say. Take them seriously and respond non-judgmentally to questions they raise.

• Ask children why they feel a certain way.

• Have children find and give facts to support their opinions.

• Use TV, movies, newspaper and magazine articles as a basis for family discussions.

• Use daily activities to promote learning. Have children figure costs, estimate how far you’re going, determine which is best and so on.

• Praise and reward children for being inquisitive and creative.

• Ask them what questions their teachers are asking them in class.

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