The Association for Middle Level Education profiles needs of the young adolescent for success in the middle grades. It discusses cognitive development for problem solving and abstract thinking, as well as the social/emotion development for awareness of self and others.

Education of young adolescents through participation in speech and debate activities provides them an opportunity to apply their developing thinking and social awareness through communication. In fact, fostering these skills at a younger age solidifies stronger roots by which students can flourish in high school and beyond.

The National Junior Forensic League extends the opportunities of participating in speech and debate to junior high students. Regional junior high tournaments begin training youth for leadership. The National Forensic League is expanding its dedication to our NJFL program, to build a stronger foundation for our Nation’s Future Leaders by supporting an earlier start to participation in forensics.

In the fantasy film The Never Ending Story, a pair of pre-teen protagonists struggles to save Fantasia from the nothing. The first, Atreyu, is a warrior. He fights the nothing with physical skill, grappling with a wolf named G’Mork and travelling thousands of miles to consult the Southern Oracles. The second, Bastian, observes the unfolding drama nervously, unsure of his ability to intervene. When Atreyu’s best efforts fail, it is Bastian who must save the kingdom by naming the ailing child- empress. This simple speech act by a middle level student rescues Fantasia.