Emigration assessment
For various reasons many families are leaving South Africa to begin a new life in a foreign country. Are you emigrating to a new country with young children? If so, have you thought about how they will adapt to their new life there, interact with other children and whether they will cope with the language barrier (if emigrating to a non-English speaking country)? These are important questions you need to get answers to before you pack your bags and purchase your air tickets.
At Bryanwood Therapy & Assessment Centre we provide emigration assessments to determine and quantify your child’s educational needs prior to emigration. The aim of an emigration assessment is to evaluate whether your child is prepared and ready for the adjustment of moving to a new country as well as to make recommendations which would facilitate an easier transition.
Our emigration assessments are undertaken by our experienced and highly qualified child psychologists.
How should you prepare children for the move?
- Discuss the idea early to give your child time to get used to the idea and to allow them time to tell you their worries or to ask questions
- Involve them in the planning and decision making
- Invest in language tapes and information about the new culture, if that is relevant
- Accept their feelings as real and treat them with sensitivity and empathy
- Look for books and DVD’s etc. about the new country
- Get them involved in the sorting and packing
- Explain why you are moving – remember not to make promises about things you can’t control, such as saying everyone will be nice to them
- Be patient as your children may find this very difficult to understand and cope with
Contact us to make an appointment for an emigration assessment
