Schools are institutions in our country where children start at a very early age and continue their education for a long time. of schools; Children who go through the stages of kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and high school may need to leave the schools where they are currently studying. In addition to such planned school changes, unplanned school changes and compulsory school changes after a traumatic event can be mentioned. As a result of these changes, children may have to adapt to a new classroom environment, circle of friends, or even a new city. ability to adapt to its environment; It has important effects on children's long-term academic achievement, behavioral functions and social adaptation (Eisenhower et al., 2015). Children who experience school changes have to go through this process more than once.
Planned School Changes
Pre-planned school changes; Due to their job, parents regularly change cities due to their appointment, etc. arise in situations. The fact that the child is aware of the city and school change in advance accelerates the preparation and adaptation process and allows him to manage the process in a more psychologically sound way. In such a case, parents should talk to the child in advance, explain the situation in detail, and facilitate his adaptation to the waiting process. For example, a farewell party organized under the supervision of a teacher for a child who will leave school will help him or her to go through this process in a psychologically sound manner.
Unplanned School Changes
In life not everything goes as planned, some situations may develop suddenly. As a result of unplanned events such as parents' divorce, sudden job change, the child may need to change school. At this point the parent Children should talk openly about the situation with their children and emphasize that this change is a necessity. Making the child feel safe and supporting him in the process of adapting to his new school are the things that parents should do in this process.
School Changes After the Traumatic Event
In Schools Violence, physical and sexual abuse, traffic accidents, domestic violence, important diseases such as cancer, animal bites, natural disasters, terrorism, war and peer bullying are among the experiences that will cause mental trauma in children (Oflaz, 2015). If the child had to change schools after such traumatic events; It is very normal to experience feelings of anxiety and fear. At the same time, a return to previous ages, which we call regression, can also be seen in the child.
It is very important for the parents of the child who has experienced a traumatic event to make him feel safe. If your child has been traumatized by the behavior of teachers or friends at school (violence, abuse, peer bullying, etc.), you should research the teachers at their new school in detail and make preliminary interviews with them if possible. The attitudes of the people at the new school and their positive approach to your child will play a role in helping him overcome the trauma he experienced.
It is very important for your child to receive expert support in this process. As a parent, you may be negatively affected by this situation, perhaps your past traumas may have been triggered. In such a case, you can also take individual therapy and rebuild your shaky psychological resilience.
It is noted in the studies that peer bullying can be used as a strategy of dominance and self-acceptance by individuals who change school, that is, enter a new social environment. (Burnukara & Uçanok, 2012). In order to prevent such situations, it is important to monitor the behavior and mental state of the child during the adaptation process to the new school.
If your child comes to you with a request to change school, you need to determine the underlying reason. The problem he is experiencing You can help him with solving it, if it is a problem that can be solved without going to a school change, you can approach him in an understanding way and tell him how to proceed. If your child has experienced a traumatic event such as harassment or violence and as a result, requests a school change from you; You need to make him feel that you are always there for him, support him, and initiate legal processes. In this process, it is of great importance that your child receives the help of a specialist.
To summarize, regardless of the reason, the way for a child who changes school to get through this process in a healthy way depends on the support he receives from his parents. If you can make your child feel safe while keeping up with the changing order, it will be much easier to keep up with the new order. While doing this, you should approach your child in a calm, understanding way and be a good listener.
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