Middle school is a transformative time in any student’s life. Middle schoolers are growing intellectually, but they’re also developing interpersonal skills that are vital to the rest of their lives.
One of these interpersonal skills is leadership. There might not be a clear-cut way to teach leadership skills, but with effort and some inventive exercises, middle-school students will slowly become more confident in themselves and their ability to lead.
1. Guiding Class Discussion
Parents and teachers can model leadership skills for middle schoolers, but unless the students have the opportunity to put those skills into action, they’re unlikely to stick. In a classroom setting, middle-school students can sharpen both their leadership skills and their public speaking skills by leading a class discussion.
The discussion itself doesn’t have to be long or complex. For instance, if the class has read a book of poems, each student might be asked to lead a short class discussion on their favorite poem in the book. As they call on their peers and guide the discussion, even hesitant students will start to discover a sense of newfound confidence in their leadership abilities.
2. Learning in Multi-Age Classrooms
Leadership isn’t always about being in charge. Sometimes, a good leader is someone who offers help and guidance when it’s needed. The mixed-age classrooms in a Montessori middle school offer daily opportunities for small acts of leadership.
For example, an older student might help a younger classmate with a difficult math problem, or they might assist a fellow student who is on crutches.
3. Serving the Community
Leadership and service go hand in hand. And at a Montessori middle school, students get ample opportunity to serve. Part of the Montessori philosophy is raising children to contribute to the broader community. When service is part of a child’s education from the start, that child will ultimately develop a focus on the needs of others.
You might wonder how exactly community service builds leadership. In today’s world, real leadership is more about influencing other people than it is about being in charge. A student with a genuine desire to help other people will motivate their peers to do the same — slowly creating a more compassionate world.
4. Doing Team Sports or Activities
It isn’t only very young children who learn through play. In many cases, middle schoolers hone their leadership skills while having fun.
For instance, let’s say your child’s school has a field day, and one of the games is tug-of-war. There are many different strategies in the game, so each team needs to decide how to maximize their chances of winning.
Even if all of the students on a team are quiet, one eventually speaks up and proposes a plan, and the rest discuss it and add to it. Often, the students who weren’t as active in developing the strategy will actively encourage their teammates or otherwise find a way to meaningfully contribute to the team.
5. Pursuing Personal Projects
At first, this sounds like the polar opposite of playing team sports. So how can it support leadership? Good leaders are self-confident and have a vision for the future. When middle schoolers delve into an independent study project or even a hobby, they cultivate confidence and self-efficacy. Both qualities prime them to be leaders.
Give Your Child a Roadmap to Success With Montessori
A Montessori education is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child. At a Montessori middle school, your child can learn at their own pace while developing into a conscientious citizen of the world. Flagstaff Montessori’s Cedar Campus is specifically for middle school learners. If you’re considering Montessori or are ready to enroll, reach out to us to schedule a tour today!