[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sreeja Chedayath is the Founder of Guruscool Abacus math learning and Guruscool IB tutors. This ex-pat is originally from India and migrated to The Netherlands 10 years ago with her family of 2 daughters. Sreeja has over 15 years of experience in managing educational institutions in India and Europe. The educationalist has been teaching Abacus to Dutch children and children from international schools for 3 yrs. now.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Are you worried about how to integrate yourself and your child into a new education system? You aren’t alone; there are many ex-pats in the Netherlands and around the world who face the same problems. It’s a small part of the transition that we, as parents, have taken for a better future for our families.
Happily accepting a transition or change is not something that comes naturally to us humans, irrespective of our age. Most ex-pat parents worry about how their kids will fit into an absolutely new world, its new culture, new faces, new habits, and new choices. It all seems a little too overwhelming when it is expected out of your child who is still incapable of tying his/her laces probably. To be true, it’s actually easier for little ones to adapt than for us elders. Their minds are still at a nascent stage and have a lot of space for new additions, unlike adults who have already formed habits.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”209″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This article aims at helping ex-pat parents in understanding how to help themselves and their kids to integrate with the Dutch education system. It is doable, take a deep breath and keep going, things will eventually find their way.
Firstly, understand why integration is crucial for you and your kid?
We, humans, are all social beings; we are used to being a part of society. Integration, ideally means, understanding the basic differences that will occur with the transition and adapting to it accordingly. Integration doesn’t necessarily have to be of the highest order; it could be something as simple as understanding the preferences of the new society.
The idea is to be able to integrate within that new community without much friction. The faster you mingle with the new society, the easier your transition becomes.
Few experts within the education sector such as Margot Andriessen director of “Klavertje vier” a bilingual Dutch school based out of Hoofddorp and Drs . Annemarie Dees who is the director of (SKH) Stichting Kinderopvang Haarlemmermeer, which is a daycare, gives crucial advice regarding how parents can find integration easier – for themselves and their kids.
Margot Andriessen says “The thought of integrating with the local community should start the moment you know you are relocating to the Netherlands or a foreign land. Parents need to start talking to their kids about the new place to prepare them for the change.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”210″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]What is the role of Parents in Integration?
Parents shape the child’s personality and the child looks up to parents for inspiration. The child grows up replicating everything he/she sees around him/her; it’s usually how the parents behave, talk and live.
Drs. Annemarie of SKH mentioned other possibilities for parents, which were to invite your new neighbors for tea or coffee.
“Children learn a lot from parents, when parents make an attempt to integrate, they feel comfortable to do the same. One might also note that children are capable of teaching a few lessons to their parents too. Habits like the same should be encouraged at home. An ex-pat parent could try to understand the local culture and local traditions such as Sinterklaas and help the child integrate with the culture. One might also try to help their child arrange playdates with other children who will play a big role in directing their integration”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Importance of speaking in mother tongue and retaining your culture as you integrate:
“Parents should encourage the child to speak in their mother tongue at home and improve their vocabulary of the common language at school. This habit makes sure that the child’s vocabulary is ever-expanding and the parent’s accent doesn’t affect the child’s learning of the local language. The parent doesn’t need to be the only source of knowledge for their child. However, it’s the parent’s responsibility to make learning resources available for the child.” Said by Margot Andriessen.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”211″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]How can parents get the right help for integration at the child’s school?
It’s important that parents understand that their involvement is of utmost importance. Schools in The Netherlands expect a lot from the parents; this might come as a surprise for a lot of ex-pat parents. It could be in the form of parent volunteer programs or school events or trips. This is usually a great opportunity for parents and kids alike to get and understand the new atmosphere better. One can choose to make new acquaintances, meet like-minded people and share concerns regarding common affairs.
This might not work effectively for older kids; as most older kids already have their own groups. The wisest way would be to encourage them to showcase their talents and become active supporters. The older child could be interested in music bands, sports, debate groups, etc. This will be an ideal way to interact with like-minded students of the same age.
It’s crucial that the parent understands the differences and changes that are yet to come and accepts them head-on, early. This will help the student to settle down comfortably and quickly. Parents can observe the new surrounding around them, learn and then implement. Look at their food habits, the way they dress up and how they behave in general.
One might also note that the way kids learn in this part of the world is a lot different from other parts. Students learn while they are playing; they do not have homework to carry back home. These schools are making learning fun for students by making use of role-plays and games. In case of any query, a parent could always talk with the school. It could be about their practices or how their kids are being evaluated. Thus the Guruscool online math activities for kids make the children understand maths and grow their memory.
As an ex-pat parent, one must make sure to use this day to its best possible limit. It’s advisable to list down a series of questions in advance and make sure to get answers for all of them. It could be about the school’s assessment system, their curriculum or how they can help the child integrate better. Understand that schools have furthermore diverse experiences with ex-pat children’s in the past. Surprisingly, the school might be able to find a solution to certain problems that the parent might be incapable of.
Parents should take help from within the existing community who have had better experience with the local culture. Their familiarity of the new place helps you in integrating better. It could be the neighbors around your new house or some friendly colleagues, who are willing to help out. This will help the child and the parents to learn about the new culture and become familiar easily.
“Understand that it’s a new country, with a new culture and new habits. It’s obvious for the approach to education to be different too. Understanding and accepting it only makes it easier for the parent and the child.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]