شبكة المعلومات العربية التربوية

This study investigates the impact of different changes on children, how they feel while facing a change, and the strategies that they may use to cope with a change. I aimed at helping the students learn more effective ways to deal with changes. Twenty-three 3rd grade students participated in an intervention program where class meetings were held to discuss the different changes that might encounter them in their lives and to explore the strategies that helped them deal more effectively with these changes. Data were collected through 1) interviews with the teachers and the students, 2) questionnaires, and 3) small-group conferences. The interview with the teachers demonstrated the relationships among the students, and among the students and the teachers. I aimed at discovering how these relationships were affected by any circumstances which the students were facing. The interview with the students inquired into their ability to describe a change and to express their feelings. Analysis of the questionnaires (student worksheets) indicated the students’ feelings toward different situations and how much they tolerated some changes. The students’ responses during the focus group revealed their ability to create different stories about changes and to provide suitable solutions. In conclusion, the students became more flexible in their thinking and developed their cognitive ability to solve problems that might be generated by some changes. Also, the students realized the different feelings associated with changes according to their nature. More importantly, the students had the chance to express their feelings and to talk about their changes knowing that there were listening ears to comfort and help them. (Author's abstract)