The role of school counsellors in children’s adjustment to preschool education

Abstract This research aims to examine the practices of school counsellors working in preschool education towards children’s school adjustment in academic, social, emotional, and behavioural dimensions. The research is a qualitative study with participants consisting of 30 school counsellors working in preschool education. The participants were determined using the criterion sampling method, which is a purposeful sampling method. The data were collected using an interview form with four questions. These data were analysed by content analysis method. It was revealed that the counsellors carried out various practices in academic, social, emotional, and behavioural areas for the adjustment of children to school. It was found that academic adjustment activities were cooperation with the family, individual guidance, and behaviour assessment. Social adjustment activities were social skills activities, group guidance, peer support, and individual guidance. Emotional adjustment activities were individual guidance and cooperation with the family. Behavioural adjustment activities were group guidance, cooperation with the family, individual guidance, school rules, and behaviour assessment.