Collaborative Post
If you’re preparing to move overseas you might be worried about how your kids are going to adjust. To help you through this exciting and scary time, here are a few simple tips.
1 . Speak honestly with your kids
When you’re preparing to move home, it’s important to have an honest talk with your kids. Explain the process and provide information about the place you are moving to. Ask your children if they have any concerns, and address these accordingly. Of course, young children will find the concept difficult to understand. With young children, you might prefer to explain using a moving home picture book, or a children’s role play game.
- Take your time finding a school
Moving school can be daunting for kids, especially when it’s a brand new country. When you’re choosing your child’s new school, take your time and involve them in the process. Conduct detailed research, check the school’s performance and the reputation. Visit the schools, speak with the teachers, and let your child meet the other kids. When you’ve visited a few schools, ask your child their preferences, these decisions are best made together.
- Support with the culture
Depending on where you are moving, your child may need help adapting to a new culture. Research the place you are moving to, and provide your child with educational resources. You might provide them with books, podcasts, videos, or apps. If your child will be learning a new language you might want to check out a few of these educational resources:
Duolingo: This app includes support for over 35 different languages, all of the lessons are bite-sized, focused on making learning fun. Your child can build up grammar skills, reading, listening, and writing skills.
Little Pim: With this fun language learning series kids can learn Mandarin, French, English, and lots more. The app uses videos and games to keep children engaged. The app is easy to use, and there are plenty of cute characters.
- Fun distractions
Your children might feel sad or scared about the move. To support your kids, ensure that they have plenty of fun distractions. Book day trips, plan exciting activities and encourage your children to join clubs. Be mindful of your child’s feelings, if they are a little down, let them express this.
- Keep in touch
Help your kids to stay in touch with their friends back home, using phones, social media, or Skype. They might want to write letters to their friends or send postcards. Your child will want to make new friends too, and so you should support them to do this. If you’re planning to visit your home country, it’s best not to do this right away. Give your child at least 6 months to settle into their new life.
- Get organized early
Moving can be stressful, and you won’t want your kids to be stressed out. To keep things hassle-free, you’ll want to get organized nice and early. Create a moving checklist including your packing, cleaning, and shipping arrangements. You may also need to apply for visas. If you’ve been living in the UK for a few years you might be wondering can I apply for indefinite leave to remain? For information about your immigration status, it’s best to speak to an immigration lawyer.