Routines, Security, and Play Help Children on the Run with Starting School
Routines, Security, and Play Help Children on the Run with Starting School
Have you gotten to know a family that has fled to Sweden, perhaps from Ukraine? Our psychotherapist shares how you can help children with difficult experiences have a good start in school. Read more.
Routines, Security, and Play – Tips from Our Psychotherapist
Experiencing war and being forced to flee turns life upside down. A new country. A new language. Worry about what is happening in their homeland. For children on the run, it can be especially challenging.
"Children do not have the same ability as adults to understand what is happening. Seeing their home or school bombed can make them believe they will never have a place to live or go to school again," says Hillevi Torell, psychotherapist at the Red Cross.
How to Help Refugee Children Start School Successfully
School can be a positive experience for children who have fled. It brings routines and structure into their lives, providing stability in an otherwise uncertain situation. However, starting at a new school with new classmates in a foreign country is a major transition.
-"If you have gotten to know families who have fled here, you can be a great help when it’s time for school to start. Explain how the school system works, take the children to extracurricular activities, organize outings, and invite them to play. Another good tip is to do homework together."
Hillevi emphasizes the importance of caring for people who live with uncertainty about the future and concern for loved ones back home. Helping children also relieves parents and gives them a moment of rest.
-"Children who have experienced hardship need to play, laugh, and, for a moment, forget everything that has happened. It creates a sense of normality. It’s great when adults participate in organizing play."
At the Red Cross Treatment Center for War and Torture Victims in Uppsala, Hillevi meets many children with difficult experiences.
"Some children react by becoming angry and acting out. Others become quiet and withdrawn, and for some, it might seem like they are unaffected. But they are."
”"Children who have experienced hardship need to play, laugh, and, for a moment, forget everything that has happened. It creates a sense of normality."”
"We All Carry a Story"
Being present and listening are key actions that Hillevi highlights.
-"We all carry a story, and many want to talk about what they have been through. We need to give them space and take the time to listen. Showing interest and openness to what children have experienced is an important approach."
Children may struggle to express their emotions, or language barriers may limit them. In such cases, other forms of expression can help.
-"Drawing together is a great way to communicate. Children can illustrate their feelings or experiences, and we as adults can observe and describe what we see. It fosters a sense of security. For older children, music can be a gateway to conversations about difficult topics."
Hillevi concludes by reminding us that many of us encounter children and young people in different situations, and we can all make a difference.
"Small everyday interactions can mean a lot," she says.
Five Ways to Contribute to a Good School Start
- Explain how the school system in Sweden works.
- Plan fun activities with the children after school.
- Help with homework – or direct them to Red Cross tutoring services.
- Don’t forget the parents. Supporting the children can provide much-needed relief for them.
- Get involved in the Red Cross’s initiatives, such as tutoring programs.
