Challenges our Gr. 4 - 7 kids are facing

Dear Parent and Teacher,

Here is some insight on the most common challenges our intermediate phase children are facing:

1.  Self-esteem:
Children tend to compare themselves to their peers at this age, and he/she may decide that she just doesn't measure up to others who he/she believes are smarter, prettier and more popular.  Help children to focus on their talents and to find activities which they enjoy.

2.  Academic Pressure:
The jump from foundation phase to intermediate phase are quite big for most kids.  Resist the temptation to push a child to the point that he/she can't enjoy the intermediate school experience, because he/she are so concerned about success or failure.  They still have a lot of growing up to do.  Save the college/university talk for high school.

3.  Drama: 
Bullying and other antisocial behaviors tend to peak in the intermediate phase. Be on the look out for mean children, enemies and bullies, and arm children with ideas on how to deal with them, who to turn to for help, and how to move on.

4.  Temptation:
Having frequent conversations on what's right and wrong, what's dangerous and why, and what you expect and hope for the child, is a good way to start in helping children resist the temptations of smoking, drinking, drugs and other dangerous behaviors.