Parents and teachers need to help children during transition to new schools

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Clinical psychologist Meiri Dias Tuti, M.Psi., has stated that children need support from parents and teachers to adapt during the transition period in a new school environment.

“Open and honest communication between parents and teachers will ultimately help ensure the smoothness and success of the child in navigating their transition period in the new school environment,” she said when contacted by ANTARA from Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to the psychologist, who is a member of the Indonesian School Psychologists’ Association under the Indonesian Psychological Association, parents should communicate with teachers if they find that their child needs more time or faces difficulties adapting to the new school environment.

“There are many potential difficulties - for example, the child may be shy, or have a developmental brain disorder such as ADHD, or other special needs, or other complaints, or physical limitations. These are the things we need to communicate to the teacher,” she said.

Meiri explained that everyone has different adaptation abilities when entering a new environment; some can adjust more quickly, while others need more time.

Children who have adapted well are generally able to interact well and can follow the rules applied in the new school environment.

Meanwhile, children who still need time to adapt usually display behaviours such as withdrawing, crying or feeling anxious when having to separate from their parents, or refusing to let go of their parents.

The member of the East Java Regional Clinical Psychology Association (IPK) said parents can also give their child a picture of the fun and positive aspects of the new school environment.

“We can persuade our child that school will be an enjoyable place to learn, so the child feels excited and willing to attend school there,” she said.

If parents find that their child is having great difficulty adapting to the new school environment, they may consider consulting a professional such as a psychologist.

“If the child is showing signs of excessive fear - for instance, having tantrums, crying all day at school, or behaving so excessively that they cannot be left alone - then perhaps our child needs professional help to undergo therapy,” said Meiri.