Choosing a school for a child is not just about the level of education, but also about the environment that shapes their personality, because the atmosphere and comfort play a key role in a child's development. Mykola Oliynyk, a psychologist-coach, told UNN journalist more about how to choose the right school for a child and what parents should pay attention to.
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School takes up a significant part of a child's life, so it is important for parents to assess what environment the child enters every day, because that is where their personality will be formed.
First of all, not the school's rating, but the environment the child enters. I recommend looking at three things: the atmosphere (how teachers and children communicate), the attitude towards mistakes (punishing or teaching), and the school's values (competition or development). The child spends a significant part of their life there, and the school either builds confidence or instills anxiety.
Every child has their own character and temperament, so there is no universal school option. It is important to take into account individual characteristics and needs, says the expert.
An active, leadership-oriented child will thrive in an environment with movement, initiative, and opportunities to express themselves. A more sensitive child needs gentleness, support, and stability. The best way is observation: how the child reacts after a trial day, whether there is tension or interest, whether they want to return. The child always shows with their body and behavior where they are comfortable.
The issue of educational quality often becomes paramount for parents, but the psychologist advises setting other priorities. Without a safe environment, even the best programs will not yield results, so a child's emotional state directly affects learning.
The atmosphere is more important, because without psychological safety, knowledge is not fully assimilated. A child under stress is afraid to make mistakes, withdraws, and loses interest. Conversely, in a healthy environment, even an average level of learning yields better results.
Adapting to a new school is also a difficult period that requires parental attention, as the child faces new rules and an environment that can cause stress. During this time, it is important to be there and provide support.
Adaptation is always stressful, even if the school is good. The child loses a familiar environment, enters new rules, and looks for their place. To facilitate the process, it is important not to pressure them with results, to talk and listen more, and to maintain stability at home.
Sometimes a school may not be suitable for a child, and it is important to notice this in time. For example, a child's behavior and well-being can signal problems, so parents need to be attentive to such changes.
There are clear markers: the child systematically does not want to go to school, anxiety or withdrawal appears, self-esteem drops, and complaints about physical well-being appear. These are not signals of laziness, but of internal discomfort.
Parental support plays a key role in the adaptation process. It is important for the child to feel stability and understanding, as this helps them integrate into the new environment more quickly.
First, give them a sense of support. The child should know: even if something is difficult, I am not alone. Second, do not devalue their experiences, but support them. And most importantly, parents must be emotionally stable, because the child always reads their state.
The specialist emphasizes that school is not only about knowledge, but also about the environment in which a child grows and develops. Therefore, the main task of parents is to choose a place where the child will feel comfortable and can be themselves.