The majority of the students at BIFS could be called “Third Culture Kids”, a term popularly used to describe children who are being raised to some extent outside of their parents’ home culture. Our children are unique, and gain a great deal of worldly experience by living outside of their home culture. They also face unique challenges related to growing up in an unfamiliar culture as well as those posed by transitions and mobility. As many of our families begin to plan for moves at the end of 2015, we encourage you to be sensitive to the impact this will have on your child.
Each child is unique, yet we see some common issues. When children know a move is coming, they sometimes will begin to disconnect from their friends and the school. In essence, they are protecting themselves from emotional hurt that can come with leaving. Sometimes children’s self-esteem will take a dip, as they manage the stress of a transition. Your child may begin to act out, get angry, or otherwise suprise you with strong emotions stemming from loss and grief that are a natural component of any transition.
How can you help? While this varies from family to family, in general children need to be able to seek closure and plan ahead:
Each child is unique, yet we see some common issues. When children know a move is coming, they sometimes will begin to disconnect from their friends and the school. In essence, they are protecting themselves from emotional hurt that can come with leaving. Sometimes children’s self-esteem will take a dip, as they manage the stress of a transition. Your child may begin to act out, get angry, or otherwise suprise you with strong emotions stemming from loss and grief that are a natural component of any transition.
How can you help? While this varies from family to family, in general children need to be able to seek closure and plan ahead:
- Give your child advanced warning about the move so he/she has time to say goodbye to friends and connections here in Busan; allow time to say goodbye to special places and possessions as well
- Hold your child accountable for being “present”, staying connected to school and friends until it’s time to go
- Allow your child to be involved in getting ready to leave (for example, let his/her choose which toys will be shipped and which will be donated to charity)
- Talk to your child about his/her emotions and acknowledge these feelings as valid
- Give concrete information (pictures and maps, for example) about where you are going after the transition so your child can begin to visualize; be aware that re-entry to a home country can be difficult for many children since they expect what they left to be the same, yet it and their relationships will likely be different.
ELC Christmas Celebration
The ELC will have a small Christmas celebration on the 17th of December. Each ELC class will prepare one Christmas carol to sing to Santa in the piazza. Santa will come to each class to give presents to the children, and the parents are welcome to join us. The celebration will begin at 9:00 am. More information will be provided once we are closer to the date.
Upcoming Elementary Events
December 4, 2:35-3:20, Elementary AssemblyKindergarten and Grade 1 Korean Language Acquisition students will share 'Expressing Ideas' and 'Communicating with Signs and Symbols' in conjunction with UOI 'How We Express Ourselves'.
December 11, 2:35-3:20, Elementary Assembly
Grade 4G will share what they have learned during their 'Who We Are' unit of inquiry, and teach the Elementary about how to be healthy.
December 18, School-wide Assembly and noon dismissal for holiday (details to follow)
December 11, 2:35-3:20, Elementary Assembly
Grade 4G will share what they have learned during their 'Who We Are' unit of inquiry, and teach the Elementary about how to be healthy.
December 18, School-wide Assembly and noon dismissal for holiday (details to follow)