The approaching end of our sessions needed to be discussed clearly rather than introduced as a surprise.
This week, we reviewed familiar words and mathematics skills and played board games to create positive shared memories. A visual countdown helped Qais understand that one final meeting remained.
“A caring relationship deserves an ending that is honest, gradual, and safe.”
I showed Qais a two-session visual countdown and explained that our next meeting would be the final session in this program. I kept the language simple and repeated the information during our usual routine.
We reviewed vocabulary, sight words, addition, and subtraction through short games. I also brought board games so that the session could include enjoyment and connection rather than feeling like a final examination.
Qais helped choose which activities to play and which pages to include in his Word Book. Giving him an active role made the preparation more collaborative.
Goodbyes can create uncertainty, especially when a child has experienced major transitions. I learned that emotional closure should be planned with the same care as the first welcome.
- Organization: City Hope Community, Clarkston, Georgia
- Student: Qais, an eight-year-old Afghan refugee
- Starting point: No prior English literacy, limited verbal communication, heightened alertness, and significant distress around sudden loud sounds