«Every journey is a new experience.
And every child is ready for it in their own way.»
(Maria Montessori)
When a family sets off, especially to a country they do not know, everybody feels the flutter. But while grown-ups can call it “anticipation”, “logistics” or “packing the cases”, children often sense a deep change — and cannot always explain it.
How do you help a child feel solid ground under their feet in a new experience? How do you turn a trip into something that supports their development rather than a source of stress for the whole family?
One to two weeks before: getting acquainted
The aim: lower the anxiety, wake up the interest
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Show them on a map where you are going (a globe or a children's map will do)
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Make a timeline or a calendar: how many days until the trip, how long you will be there
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Play “the country”: cook a dish from it, learn three words of the local language
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Make a “traveller's passport” — name, age, photo, where they are going
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Read a book or watch a cartoon about the city or the country
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Act out “the airport” at home: security, luggage, boarding, seat belts
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Ask them:
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What are you curious to find out on the trip?
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Is there anything that might not be very nice? (and talk about how to handle it)
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Three or four days before: packing
The aim: bring the child into the process, give them something to stand on
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Pack the backpack together: a toy, a book, a favourite thing
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Let them choose one or two things themselves
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Put together a travel kit:
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an audiobook or headphones
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water, snacks
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drawing materials, stickers
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tissues, wet wipes, plasters
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Agree the basic “safety rules”:
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we always stay together
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we say so if we are tired, hungry or unhappy about something
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The day of the trip: the change of surroundings
The aim: a gentle handover from home to the journey
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A calm morning with no rush
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Explain what is going to happen:
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“We will drive to the airport, drop off the luggage, go through security and get on the plane”
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Give your child one familiar object: a soft toy, a book or a scarf
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Say things out loud:
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“Look, these are our seats”
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“We are taking off. Can you feel the tickle in your tummy?”
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“We are on the train now, going to the city with the good pizza and ice cream”
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The first days there: settling in
The aim: keep the rhythm, build a sense of safety
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Keep to the usual rhythm of sleep and meals
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As little activity as possible on the first day
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The same evening ritual every night: the same book, the same music, a cuddle
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Get to know the place through play and conversation:
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“Let's go and find where the seagulls scream the loudest”
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“What does this city smell like?”
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“Which way do you think our home is?”
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Name the feelings:
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“You are a little lost — that is normal”
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“You find it interesting here, and you want to take it all in slowly”
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Give your child choices:
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“Shall we go to the fountain first, or to the tree?”
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“Do you want to walk now or a bit later?”
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One more thing: the evening ritual “my travel story”
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In the evening draw, write down or talk about the most interesting thing that happened
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You can keep a diary with photographs, stickers and short stories
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When you get home, make a collage or a little book
Phrases that give a child something to stand on
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You can do everything at your own pace
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I am with you, even when you are cross or tired
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I can see that you are having fun / feeling sad / curious right now
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Everything is new at the moment, but we have our backpack / toy / book
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I am here, and you are safe
