Parenting Perspective 

Children often face situations in classrooms or gatherings where a peer is being noisy, teasing them, or otherwise disrupting their focus. Asking to change seats can feel awkward; they might worry about drawing attention to themselves, looking weak, or creating a conflict. A short, polite script, combined with non-verbal cues and a simple follow-up plan, can give them a way to protect their learning and their dignity without escalating the situation. 

Teach Them a Simple, Polite Script 

A concise and polite line reduces the pressure on a child to explain themselves at length. Practising a simple script at home makes it feel more natural, so that they can use it calmly even when they are feeling under stress. 

You can offer them a few different options, depending on the situation: 

‘Excuse me, could I please move to another seat? I am finding it hard to work here.’ 

‘Sorry, this spot is a bit distracting for me. May I sit somewhere else?’ 

‘I do not feel comfortable here. Is it possible for me to change seats?’ 

Practise Confident and Calm Body Language 

You can coach your child to pair their chosen sentence with a calm tone of voice, direct but soft eye contact, and a slight step back toward the teacher or a neutral space. This helps to signal confidence without being confrontational. A brief, polite smile can also help to reduce any defensiveness in others. 

Coach Them on How to Persist Calmly 

It is helpful to teach your child how to approach their teacher quietly and directly, for example, ‘Miss, may I please move seats? I am finding it hard to concentrate.’ If the teacher does not respond, you can practise a polite follow-up with them, such as, ‘I did ask before. May I try sitting in the back row for a while?’ This models calm persistence rather than whining. 

Debrief Afterwards to Offer Support 

At home, after the event, you can ask your child, ‘How did that feel for you? Would you like for me to speak to the teacher about it?’ It is important to validate their choice and, if the disruption is continuing, to help them draft a brief note or a calm email to the teacher. This keeps your child’s sense of agency central to the process while also giving them practical options for escalation. 

Spiritual Insight 

In the Islamic tradition, believers are encouraged to protect their own peace and dignity, and to seek an environment that is conducive to learning and well-being, while always responding to others with patience and good character. 

Protecting One’s Peace and Dignity 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verse 11: 

‘…And do not insult each other; and do not call each other by (offensive) nicknames; how bad is it to be called by nefarious names after the attainment of faith…’ 

This verse reminds us that speech and actions that disturb or belittle others are forbidden in Islam. Protecting one’s own right to a peaceful and respectful environment is consistent with seeking to live in an honourable way. 

The Prophetic Counsel on Patience 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4032, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The believer who mixes with people and endures their harm with patience will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with them and does not endure their harm.’ 

This hadith reminds us that facing teasing or mockery with patience is not a burden, but is rather a source of immense reward from Allah Almighty. By practising calmness and self-respect, we are reflecting the noble strength of a true believer. 

When a child is preparing to ask to move seats, parents can quietly encourage them to make a short dua beforehand, such as, ‘O Allah, please make my words gentle and my need clear.’ This helps to link the practical skill they are learning with a sense of trust in the help of Allah Almighty.