Fourth grade is a pivotal year, in which students commonly face increased academic demands. According to Anderson, teachers can help students make a smooth transition to 4th grade by introducing these new challenges in ways that are in line with 4th graders' common developmental characteristics: incredible energy and emotion, industriousness and curiosity, increased awareness of the world around them, and heightened anxiety and sensitivity. Anderson describes a variety of specific strategies that teachers can use to establish the safe, supportive classroom environment that enables 4th grade students to perform at their best.