Turkish Schools Launch an “Adaptation Week” for New Grade Levels

Turkey’s Ministry of National Education has announced that schools are launching an “Adaptation Week” program to help preschool, first-grade, and fifth-grade students get familiar with their new educational environments.

Meanwhile, Turkish newspaper Hürriyet reported that the program is not simply a few introductory days, but a structured phase with its own guidelines.

Preschool, first-grade, and fifth-grade students will get to know their new school environments through an adaptation program running from September 7 to 11.

The newspaper quoted Dr. Elif Ulu, a faculty member in the Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance at Ege University’s Faculty of Education, as saying that Adaptation Week should not simply be viewed as a process of getting used to school.

She gave families nine recommendations. Here are the main points, as reported by the newspaper:

1) Crying is a natural reaction: Especially among preschool children, crying at the school entrance, clinging to their parents, or refusing to go inside should be seen as a normal reaction caused by separation anxiety.

2) Keep goodbyes short and clear: A long goodbye at the school entrance can make a child more anxious. A calm goodbye, along with clearly telling the child when the parents will return — and actually showing up at that time — helps build a sense of security.

3) Don’t leave the school secretly: Quietly walking away while the child is looking in another direction may seem like an easier way to say goodbye, but it can actually increase the child’s anxiety by making them feel that their parents could disappear without warning. Separation should be explained clearly.

4) Let the child bring something comforting: If the school allows it, a small toy, handkerchief, keychain, or any object that reminds the child of their family can serve as a “transitional object”, helping preschool children feel that they have not been completely separated from their parents.

5) Make the routine feel familiar: Explaining what will happen at school using pictures, playing “school” at home, and showing the child their classroom and the bathroom beforehand can all reduce uncertainty. Children should also know who they can turn to if they get lost or need help.

6) Focus on belonging before letters: At the end of Adaptation Week, the child’s feelings toward school should matter more than how many letters they have learned. A child who feels that they belong in their classroom and feels safe with their teacher will find it easier to begin academic learning.

7) Ask specific questions: Asking, “How was school today?” can be too broad for a child and often leads to a simple “It was good.” Instead, parents can ask easier, more specific questions such as, “What did you like most about the playground today?”, “Who sat next to you?”, or “Did anything make you laugh?”

8) The change in fifth grade: Fifth-grade students leave behind the single-teacher system they have been used to for four years and have to adjust throughout the day to different teachers, rules, and expectations. This can be difficult at first. Reviewing the class schedule with the child in advance can make the transition easier.

9) Friendship and acceptance: When children move on to middle school, being accepted by their peers, belonging to a group, and finding their place socially become more important than they were before.

The newspaper noted that these are general educational recommendations from a psychological counseling specialist, not official rules issued by the Ministry of National Education.

It also stressed that these recommendations do not replace consulting the school counselor in cases where professional guidance is needed.