Moving to Thailand for any reason is certain to be an exciting adventure for you and your family. However, it can be distressing for children, at least at first. Even moving within your home country can be difficult for them.
But leaving their friends behind and having to settle into a new country, probably with a whole new language, can be overwhelming.
As a parent, you of course want to ease their anxiety and make the transition as smooth as possible for them. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to help make it a more positive experience for your child. This article will walk you through some of the most helpful steps you can take to ease the transition.
Let them help you move
One source of negative emotions in children when moving anywhere is frustration stemming from a lack of control. At any age, although this will be especially the case with older kids, they don’t want to feel like they are just being dragged along for the ride.
You can give them more of a feeling of control by involving them in the moving process in small ways. Even just asking for their opinion about decorations for the new house can be enough, but it is better if you can let them help with packing and unpacking or decorating.
Help them make friends
Making new friends may be exciting or daunting, easy or difficult. Of course, in a country with a different language, this may be more challenging.
However, you can help facilitate new friendships by taking your child to public places such as playgrounds, pools, and parks. Sending them to an international school in Thailand can help too, as they are more likely to meet other foreign children and children who speak their language.
Additionally, the syllabus at many international schools is taught in English, making it easier for them to continue their education. Additionally, the syllabus at many best international school in Singapore is taught in English, making it easier for them to continue their education.
Learn the language
Learning a second language has several benefits for children, but it is even more useful to those living abroad. It can help them navigate school and daily life more easily in their new home, and they will have many more people to make friends with.
Young children tend to pick up foreign languages a lot more easily, and they are less embarrassed about getting them wrong at first.
If your children are older, they will have more catching up to do and will likely find languages more difficult. Consider arranging private classes for them.
Keep in touch with home
It is important that your child understands they are not replacing their old friends, and speaking to them regularly along with other members of their family back home will likely cheer them up.
Taking them to visit at least once a year can be helpful too. While a year away might fly by for you, it can feel a lot longer to young children.
Conclusion
Moving to Thailand can be a shock to a child’s system, but the sooner they have made new friends, established a routine at school and home, and regained a feeling of control, the easier they will find it. A useful list of international schools can be found on the Thai government’s website.
