How to Talk to Middle Schoolers

It's your first time serving in Middle School. Middle schoolers are smaller than you, but they are still kind of (somehow) intimidating. What to do now?! I got chu, boo! Here are some of my fool-proof ways to talk to middle schoolers, in a none-small-group setting. 

1. Break the Ice // Go over to them first, compliment them or make them laugh (or both!) 
2. Ask all the Questions // Middle Schoolers are people too! & every person loves to talk about themselves, so ask away.
3. "Me too!" // While you're doing the above and asking them questions, see if you can find a similarity or interest you share. You may even be able to thrown in a quick story!
4. Don't Ignore Them // Whether you're in middle school or an adult, talking to people you don't know can be awkward, especially younger kids! However, if you really want to make an impression, don't skulk back to the corner with your other adult leader friends you know better... actually stick it out, and talk to the students. Then when you've talked to all the students, start over and talk to them all over again! Again, it's human nature to migrate towards people you're comfortable with that are your own age, but stick it out with the middle schoolers! If you do they'll attach to you faster than you ever imagined!
5. Don't focus too long on them // This last one might shock you. With middle schoolers, there is this unspoken line of cool and creepy. They want you to pay attention to them so they know you care, BUT if you spend too much time only, solely focused on them when there are other girls around you don't know... you are walking a fine-line that you need to be aware of. So, once you've talked to a girl for a little bit, turn your attention to someone else! There will be plenty of time to get to know one another on a deeper level later.
​