Humanizing and Amplifying Voices of Displaced Children: A Narrative of an Eight-Year-Old's Journey and Integration

Abstract

This chapter explores the impacts of war on children’s education and psychological development, with a focus on the experiences of displaced Ukrainian children. Through the lens of Veronika, an eight-year-old Ukrainian student who came to the United States, it illustrates the challenges and resilience of children in adapting to new educational environments. The narrative explores the significance of supportive educational strategies that address the unique needs of displaced children, emphasizing the importance of individualized learning, compassion, and positive school culture as tenets for facilitating, language learning, integration, and healing. Drawing on the educational philosophy of Vasyl Sukhomlynsky (1976, 2016), a Ukrainian pedagogue and scholar, the chapter advocates for a holistic, child-centered approach that addresses the academic, emotional, and social dimensions of learning for children affected by war. It emphasizes the critical role of teachers in creating inclusive, nurturing environments that enable displaced children to thrive.

Citation

Senyshyn, R.M. (2024), "Humanizing and Amplifying Voices of Displaced Children: A Narrative of an Eight-Year-Old's Journey and Integration", Shah, T.M. (Ed.) Children and Youth as ‘Sites of Resistance’ in Armed Conflict (Sociological Studies of Children and Youth, Vol. 34), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 35-54. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1537-466120240000034003