Kids In Transition 1 2 What are some

Kids In Transition 1

2

What are some transition concerns you are experiencing in Dakar? Please write them on the post-it. 3

Agenda Opening Activity Transition Curves Effects on Children Strategies to Help Share Concerns Resources 4

Macro Transition Curve 5

Micro Transition Curve Euphoria / Honeymoon S T A G E S Stability / Growth Rock Bottom TIME 6

Effects 1. How your child might be acting 2. What does it mean? 7

Your child might be… • • • Moody/ Angry Crying Uncommunicative Complaining Nostalgic 8

What does this all mean? ? Your child misses home 9

Strategies to help 1. Create a sense of security 2. Make connections 3. Be honest 4. Give support & guidance 10

Sense of Security • • • Maintain previous friendships No need to have all the answers Allow your child to be sad - show empathy Share a story from your childhood when you struggled Understand that your child feels a sense of loss and a loss of control. 11

Ways to Show Empathy Listen for feelings Listen for unspoken feelings Look at your child’s body language Listen with your heart Try not to be critical Give your full attention Reflect back the feeling you see/hear Ask open-ended questions 12

Make Connections • Traditions • Foods • Open minded • Volunteer activities 13

Helping Younger Children Make Connections • Speak to other parents • Organize playdates • The “Snack Strategy” • New Decoration • Special Time 14

Be Honest It’s hard for me too • Share Memories • Comparisons 15

Support & Guidance “Have you noticed how the grass is always greener on the other side? ” • • Humor Experience “The Grass is Greener” Patience 16

Change Increases Stress - Ways to De-Stress Increase physical touch Do deep breathing Consider dramatics Spend time alone with your child Laugh Have your child keep a journal Create a scrapbook 17

Rituals create predictability Develop a goodbye ritual Have an after school ritual Build in a chit chat time Have an end of the week ritual 18

No perfect time or age to move 19

Conclusion • • 20 Be realistic Time Dare Share your transition story

We are all in transition 21

Books • • • “Don’t Be Afraid to Drop!” Julia Cook “Raising Global Nomads” - Robin Pascoe “Who Moved My Cheese For Kids” – Spencer Johnson “Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere” - Lois Bushong “Emotional Resilience and the Expat Child” - Julia Simens “Club Expat: A Teenager’s Guide to Moving Overseas” - Amiket and Awash Shah 22

Pam Pelliccia Elementary School Counselor International School of Dakar pamp@faculty. ISD. sn 33 -825 -0871 ext. 135 Jeannie Harrison Counselor Transitions-Loss-TCK Parenting jeannie. harrison@gmail. com 77 -099 -58 -20 23