Pay attention to these signals if there are school adaptation problems!

With the arrival of September, the marathon of education has started once again. However, this period also brings adaptation problems for many families and children. Experts emphasize that with the new academic year, children may face difficulties adapting to school life, noting that the transition from holiday routines to school routines, social adjustment issues, and exam anxiety can complicate the process.

Asst. Prof. Pınar Demir Asma, Assistant Professor and Vice Head of the Department of Child Development at Üsküdar University, stated that the process of adapting to school should not be seen merely as a temporary phase at the beginning of the term. She highlighted that positive school adaptation is closely related to both continuity in school life and higher academic success. Asst. Prof. Asma also reminded that children may experience negative situations such as bullying and exclusion in their social environment, warning parents to pay attention to these signals.

Asst. Prof. Pınar Demir Asma, Assistant Professor and Vice Head of the Department of Child Development at Üsküdar University, offered important advice to parents regarding the adaptation problems experienced by children and families with the start of the new academic year.

Pay attention to these signals!

Reminding that the new school year starts in September, Asst. Prof. Asma said: “This process confronts families with various challenges in school adaptation and raises many questions in their minds. The problems children may experience differ depending on the characteristics of the child and family. Possible difficulties include adaptation problems in returning from a holiday routine to a school routine. There may be challenges in adjusting to changes related to physical needs such as mealtimes and bedtimes. Problems may arise in social adaptation to the peer group. Especially if the child is experiencing negative situations such as bullying or exclusion at school, they may not want to attend. Such signals should be carefully observed. Concerns related to school performance and exams may also appear.”

Do not expect rapid adjustment from the child

Asst. Prof. Asma emphasized that the attitudes and behaviors of the family are also decisive in the child’s adaptation to school: “Incorrect attitudes and behaviors can be summarized as being overly interventionist, adopting an authoritarian communication style, constantly changing the child’s daily routine and making it irregular and unpredictable, having excessive expectations for rapid adjustment, or having expectations that are not appropriate for the child’s developmental level or age.”

Show your love under all circumstances!

Offering recommendations to parents to ease the adaptation process and support children, Asst. Prof. Asma said: “Be patient. Listen to your child’s requests and respect their boundaries. Be consistent and clear in communication between mother and father. Be informed about your child’s school life. Be attentive regarding your child’s relationships with friends and peers, and listen to your child. Allow your child to take responsibility. Most importantly, never forget to show that you are their supporter and to demonstrate your love under all circumstances.”

School adaptation is closely linked to high academic success

Asst. Prof. Asma stressed once again that school adaptation should not be considered just a temporary phase at the start of the term: “It should be addressed as a process that can have significant lasting effects on the child’s development and should be approached with sensitivity. It must be remembered that a positive school adaptation is closely linked both to the continuity of school life and to high academic achievement. In addition, following adaptation, continued school attendance, together with the support of peer relationships, makes important contributions to children’s social and emotional development.”