On Our (Read)ar

Fourteen Talks By Age Fourteen

By Michelle Icard

Inconstantly and unpredictably, between the ages of 10 and 14, kids bounce around developmentally. As parents, we think growing up really ought to be linear, that kids should make forward progress with attributes like maturity and responsibility.  But the truth is, it’s one step forward followed by two to ten steps back. One day they’re texting their crush and yelling for you to leave their room, and the next day they’re playing with toys and asking for you to sleep in their room again. For this very reason, they are hard to label… there is just no easy way to pin them down. And that’s one of the things (to) like best about people this age.

– Adam Hancock

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers

By Dr. Lisa Damour

The middle school years are a transformative time, and our work must honor the complex intersection of academic rigor and the developmental needs of early adolescents. It’s a balancing act—one that requires intentionality, warmth, and, above all, a human-centered approach.

Dr. Lisa Damour, in “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers”, emphasizes that adolescents thrive when they feel securely connected to the adults in their lives. As educators of early adolescents, we know that connection must come first. Before students can fully engage with academic challenges, they need to feel seen, supported, and understood. This means prioritizing relationships, creating a sense of belonging, and recognizing that emotional well-being is deeply intertwined with learning.

With this in mind, we must continually ask ourselves: What truly matters in our classrooms? How do we create an environment that fosters both intellectual growth and emotional resilience? By centering connection and well-being, we ensure that our students not only develop strong academic skills but also the confidence and stability they need to navigate this critical stage of development.

– Mark Bosick