“Tweens are exquisitely sensitive to how they’re perceived, and they’re sponges, so adults wield enormous power to shape their values, boost their self-awareness, and help them learn to experiment, fail, and recover. Kids at this age also are curious, empathetic, perceptive, wise beyond their years, and brutally honest (which can come across as funny or mean, depending on the delivery). Middle school is a time when kids’ confidence can peak or plummet. By high school, they’re spending more time with peers and are less malleable. Which is why I view middle school as the “last best chance” to impart self-confidence and problem-solving skills—two primary building blocks of resilience. And resilience is a quality that’s sorely needed today.”