Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk advised teachers on the right approach to students in the first days of the education period that will start after the earthquake that affected 10 provinces.
Reminding that schools will be opened in regions outside the earthquake zone as of next week, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk said, “Teachers are as worried as children and families in these difficult times. It will be much more appropriate to listen to the children in the first lesson instead of starting the lessons immediately. We do not know what children are exposed to in the home environment during this time period. They may have been exposed to inappropriate earthquake images, news, negative rhetoric or family life, and may even have experienced the earthquake itself. In the first lesson, it will be much more valuable and healing to take time to listen instead of giving information and explaining.”
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk said that during this period, it is necessary to talk to children about what they are doing, what they are going through and to listen to their feelings. The guest continued:
“It doesn't matter what the role of the teacher should be at that moment, as long as all the emotions of the children can be embraced with patience and compassion. While some children are talking, others may not want to talk. They can be asked to explain by writing or drawing. If the child does not want to do any of these, he should not be forced to speak and time should be given. Children must be observed. If children have introversion, aggression, unusual behavior or emotions, these children should be directed to specialists working with trauma. Young people in high school are able to express and express themselves better. So, 'How do you feel, who wants to tell?' You can start with the question. It is necessary not to correct what you feel, but only to listen, to make them feel understood. It can be shown to be understood by saying, 'I felt the same things as you, I can guess what you're feeling'.
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk, who stated that many questions may come from children during the conversation, said, “Instead of answering these questions quickly, care should be taken to understand what they are really asking, not to give too much information without realizing it, and to only answer the questions they ask. If there are statements that a child tells that may cause harm or anxiety to other friends, it would be a much more appropriate approach to direct it by saying, "I know you want to tell a lot, you have heard a lot, you have seen a lot, I want you to tell me about it in detail during recess, I want to listen to you" instead of silencing immediately. Apart from this, in addition to academic performance and lectures, movement areas and playtimes where they can relieve their stress and anxiety should be recognized. Their teachers should allow them to hug them and contact them as much as you feel comfortable.”
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk made suggestions to teachers and concluded his speech as follows:
“Teaching is a profession based on experience. Maybe you have never experienced this before. Remind yourself that your goal is not to heal the trauma, but to take a compassionate, inclusive, and safe approach. Accept that you can have a range of emotions, just like everyone else. Then, being able to provide your own emotion regulation will be very valuable in terms of your approach to children and our communication with them.”
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