Behavioral Problems Observed by Preschool and Elementary School Teachers Among Syrian Children and Strategies Teachers Employed for These

Abstract

The present study aims to determine the behavioral problems, which preschool and elementary school teachers observed among Syrian children, and the strategies they used to address those problems. Sixteen teachers were involved in this study designed with a phenomenology pattern, one of the qualitative research methods. Participants were determined using the criterion sampling method, which is one of the purposeful sampling methods. Study data were collected using the semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. The data were collected during face-to-face interviews and analyzed using content analysis. The results showed that teachers observed different behavioral problems among Syrian children but most of them put emphasis on the tendency toward violence and social isolation. Teachers stated that they have used various prevention and intervention strategies against these behavioral problems, but they generally utilized social adaptation programs and positive communication with children. Moreover, specifying various suggestions for preventing the behavioral problems among Syrian children, they emphasized the necessity of language education, family education, and adaptation programs.