Moving Around

It was interesting to listen to the opinions and comments made in regard to transiency in class today. We discussed how many students change schools either throughout the year, or from year to year, and its effects on children. Of course one may find it difficult to begin learning certain subject matters in a class, then go to a new school in the middle of the year, and be learning either the same thing or something far more advanced and have to catch up. Also, the child may even be bored with the subject material and feel there is not point in trying. One must take into account why the child has changed schools as well. Was it because a parent changed his or her job? Because his or her parents got a divorce? These situations may also change the way a child behaves in a classroom.

On a more personal note, I am a nanny for an eight year old(third grade) who has a few learning disabilities. This is his third school he is attending. Today we were talking about different things going on in his school, and he mentioned twice that he had made no friends, and it is hard to make new friends in a new school. He also told me how the children in his class had voted for a campaign manager, and when I asked him if he had run for office, he replied, "Nobody would vote for me, I have no friends!" This really made me feel sorry for the kid! I mean, who wouldn't?? Each year he's in a new school and has to make new friends, become familiar with new faculty, different classrooms, different schedules, etc. We all know what those first day jitters are like! I really feel that with children who have to change their school so often, it can greatly hinder their learning. It makes me wonder if he would work harder in school and be more enthusiastic about it if he had more friends. And I would think that he would be more enthusiastic to participate in school activities if he didn't have such a negative attitude about how he is looked at by his peers.

As a future teacher, I feel it is crucial to take new students under our wings, make sure they are adjusting as best as they can, and do what we can to make that child feel safe and comfortable.