- Intercultural Workshop for Children (5-10 years old), ‘The Magic Cube Adventure*’.
This is a storytelling & workshop which deals with the basic fears of children during a transition period (before, during and right after an international relocation). It is based on the psychological impact of moving abroad according to the children’s perception of the experience. It considers the basic areas of the recent child development theories (cognitive, emotional and social development). The objective is to turn the unknown and abstract aspects of the experience into a fun adventure. The children participate in creating the story by filling in with their own creative ideas. The parents can choose to participate.
*In collaboration with Ana Serra, storyteller and writer of children’s book.
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The Magic Cube – Workshop
Parents’ information
Why a workshop with children about moving?
We, adults, know rationally why we move to a new place, new country and a new job. We also know the reasons why those decisions are the best for our families and how they will benefit our families in the long run. We know all that because of our life experience, and our abilities to see all the advantages and disadvantages in the present and future. In other words, we have lived enough to know about all the trouble of moving/adapting to a new culture, but also it will be worth doing it.
Our kids, however, are not yet mature enough nor do they have enough live experience. Their cognitive and emotional developments are not sufficient to fully understand the complexity and the importance of this experience. In addition, we know that when the moving has been a calm and successful one for our children, we will consequently have a peaceful transition.
It is a workshop or a game?
Both. The idea behind this workshop is that children feel safe and comfortable to play and deal with issues explained to them in kids’ language. We want them to identify with the characters of the story and their conflicts, doubts and insecurities. The objective is that they will elaborate their own strategies to cope with difficulties and hopefully develop competencies to overcome them, in a fun way.
What is the methodology?
The pioneer method used is called EXPAT KIDS Plus®, developed by Interculturalplus. This method deals with seven basic themes, which children, typically, face during an international transition period. It is based on the most recent cognitive, emotional and social development theories, and considers their age, family experience, their individual personality, phases of the transition/adaptation period as well as the multicultural aspects. The assessment Children’s Intercultural Readiness Assessment (CIRA)* is used as an additional tool to better understand and assist children.
*The Children’s Intercultural Readiness Assessment (CIRA) is a scale designed to measure the adaptive potential of children and young adults whose parents are preparing to move internationally. CIRA©, is a highly reliable and predictive assessment for determining the adjustment potential of children ages 5-18 who are preparing to move into a new culture. Based on the Intercultural Readiness Assessment (IRA) by Dr. Carley Dodd, the CIRA offers two online versions. Interculturalplus has authorizations from the authors to use and interpret its results.
Target:
Children from ages 5-10 approximately
(Parents are welcome to attend as observers)
Duration:
4 hours
Objective:
- To make children talk about their fear & conflicts about moving to a new country (or reentry) through the games.
- With the help of the characters of the book ‘Mike, a detective in trouble’ by Ana Serra & Simone Costa Eriksson, to make children understand and play with constructive solutions of their own conflicts turning them into a positive experience.
- Make parents understand about the difference in perception between adults and children, and give them information about their own children’s progress in dealing with the experience.
Assessment Tool:
Children Intercultural Readiness Assessment (CIRA) – online version*
Programme*:
8:30 – 9:00 Evaluation meeting with the parents & instruction about the online Children’s Intercultural Readiness Assessment (CIRA)*
9:00 – 9:45 Story telling of ‘Mike, a detective in trouble’
9:45 – 10:00 Pause
10:00 – 11:00 The magic cube game 1
11:00 – 11:15 Pause
11:15 – 12:00 The magic cube game 2
12:00 – 12:30 Conclusions/Orientation meeting with the parents.
*The programme can always be adapted to time limitations and the situation of the children /family.
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