A mixed-methods study on the impact of story-based education on the psychological well-being of migrant preschool children: Quantitative findings and thematic analysis of drawings

This study aims to examine the psychological well-being of migrant children aged 5–6 who have experienced forced migration through a story-based education program. Employing a mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected using the Psychological Well-Being Scale for Children Aged 5–6, while qualitative data were obtained through content analysis of children's drawings created in line with given instructions. The research sample consisted of an experimental group and a control group; the experimental group participated in a story-based education program conducted twice a week over an eight-week period. The books and complementary activities used in the program were designed to support children's cognitive, emotional, social, and physical well-being. Since the participants' native language was Arabic, the program was implemented by a teacher fluent in Arabic, ensuring that the stories were understood and internalized through the mother tongue. Quantitative findings revealed a significant increase in the psychological well-being scores of the experimental group, with notable improvements in the subscales of self-regulation, psychological resilience, and life satisfaction. Qualitative findings indicated that in the early weeks, children's drawings predominantly reflected themes of displacement, loss, and uncertainty, while in the later weeks, positive themes such as safety, hope, and social connectedness became more prominent. The results demonstrate that story-based education strengthens the psychological resilience of migrant children and can serve as an important educational tool for fostering cultural adaptation, post-traumatic growth, and emotional support. Based on these findings, it is recommended that story-based practices be expanded in preschool education contexts to support the psychosocial adjustment processes of migrant children. Keywords: Pre-School Education, Migrant Child, Well-being, Story-based Education, Children's drawings.