SETTLEMENT | PA R E N T I N G |
Take a trip
B
And open up a world of possibilities
usy schedules and the high cost of travel are two reasons that often deter families from taking trips together. Yet, travelling with family is a great investment for everyone, and the benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks. These enriching and rewarding experiences will help children make sense of their world, expand their horizons and equip them with the ability to meet the challenges of a demanding global society.
Family bonding
Spending precious quality time together while travelling will bring families closer together, and lead to stronger connections to each other. Travelling together creates an equal playing field where everyone explores and experiences things together for the first time. It provides opportunities for family members to take on different roles and responsibilities, and to work closely together toward common goals.
Culture and language
By becoming immersed in different places’ culture, language, customs and lifestyle, children will gain appreciation and respect for the richness of diversity in the world and multiculturalism in Canada. It can help affirm one’s own language, culture, family roots and identity. Communicating with the locals might also highlight the importance of one’s ability to communicate in different languages. Seeing firsthand the advantages of being multilingual, it might even ignite the children’s interest in learning their mother tongue or a foreign language.
46 canadianimmigrant.ca
July 2014
Life skills
By actively participating and contributing during the trip, children can master many essential life skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication, social skills and many more. With the many surprises and adventures that arise while travelling, children will understand the importance of being patient, flexible, spontaneous, as well as learning to deal with unexpected challenges with confidence, grace and calmness.
Character building
Through the adventures in travelling, children will experience the journey of self-discovery and help build their character. Children learn to view things through different perspectives, and hopefully gain many valuable life lessons in the process, such as gratitude, open-mindedness, sense of curiosity, sense of adventure, can-do attitude and lifelong learning. More importantly, children will become more compassionate, understanding and gain a greater sense of the global community. The world is the ultimate classroom. Travelling as a family is one great way to connect with ourselves, our family and the world. Cheryl Song,, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than 10 years’ experience of working in childhood education and family programs.
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