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Project No: 2020-1-PL01-KA201-082096
M-LEARNING FOR PARENTS - Step 3: Attending a new school (first weeks, months)
Other things to consider
- Boost his self- confidence: In this process, children need to understand that they can be part of the community, but that it is also okay to be different from others. However, do not focus on these differences. Instead, strengthen children’s confidence that they can bring something new to the community and to those around them, despite their differences. Allow children to express their emotions, but also give them the ability to recover from the negative emotions and focus on the positive qualities that the experience brings.
- Be present: It is important that children feel that you are always there for them, supporting and guiding them through this process. Make time for activities together, support them, participate in local events as a family and you will see that they will feel more comfortable participating in certain activities on their own.
Ways to integrate your child within the local community
Research: Before and after you move your family to another country, thoroughly research the free activities offered by the community in the city you are moving to. Do your research and let children know what activities they would like to participate in. There are several local clubs and groups, such as dance classes, drama classes, music clubs, sports clubs, etc. These clubs can also help your children make friends as they interact with children who have the same interests as them.
Language: you can look for free language classes that your child can attend. As we mentioned earlier, language is the most important communication skill. So, if your child learns the language of the country you are moving to, they will be able to communicate better with their peers. Also, by attending language classes or other community clubs, children can meet other foreigners who are in the same situation as them and they will make friends who have the same concerns as them. On the other hand, if children return to their country of origin, attending language classes can help them to improve their language skills, which will help them to understand better the lessons in school. This will be reflected positively in their academic results.
Neighborhood gatherings: You can organize a dinner with your new colleagues and their children or invite people from your neighborhood to game nights. This can also help you personally make new friends and feel a part of the new community. But it would also be a great opportunity for your child to meet new people from the community and feel more comfortable in the new environment.
At this stage, you and your child have already moved to another country and your child is attending a new school and living in a new neighborhood. In the first few weeks, children will most likely face some challenges.
They need to fit into the local community and make friends. So you will need to find ways to help them integrate into the new community. There are certain activities you can participate in that can help you become part of the new community and feel the new environment is your home. Your goal is to make your child feel comfortable, able to communicate, and part of the new community you are moving into.
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3.4. How to integrate a child within the local community?