Singapore is a popular destination among expat families seeking new opportunities and experiences. While migrating to Singapore or any other new country can be a thrilling adventure, it can also present unique challenges for children – things such as culture shock and making friends. Emmanuelle Mollet O’Grady is a clinical and child psychologist at IMC who often sees the psychological impact of such moves on young people. Here, she looks at some of the emotional, social and cognitive effects that migration can have on children and practical strategies to support them.
#1 Language barriers and culture shock
One of the most significant hurdles that can take place for expat children is the language barrier. The inability to communicate effectively can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration. Language skills are also crucial for forming meaningful social connections and making friends. Thankfully, children tend to learn languages really quickly and they soon adapt to their new linguistic environment and make new friends.
What you can do:
As parents, you can support your children by encouraging language learning and exposure to new accents through language classes and cultural immersion. You can also seek out schools that offer bilingual education to ease the transition.
#2 Social integration and making new friends
Forming new friendships can be daunting for children. The fear of rejection and unfamiliar social norms may hinder their interactions – loneliness and a sense of being an outsider are common initial experiences.
What you can do:
Help your children by facilitating social opportunities, such as joining local clubs, sports teams or community events. Encouraging open-mindedness and teaching social skills can also boost their confidence.
#3 Academic performance and educational transitions
The shift to a new education system can impact a child’s academic performance. Migrating to Singapore might involve curriculum differences, new grading methods or unfamiliar teaching styles that may vary from what they consider the norm. This can cause academic stress and poor performance.
What you can do:
Parents can support their children by communicating with teachers and identifying potential areas of struggle, and provide additional educational support, if necessary. Patience and understanding during this adjustment phase are vital.
#4 Emotional wellbeing and mental health
Migrating to Singapore or any international destination can take a toll on a child’s emotional wellbeing and mental health. Feelings of sadness, anxiety and even depression are not uncommon during this time of change and adjustment.
What you can do:
Try to be vigilant for signs of emotional distress and seek professional help if needed. Engaging in regular family activities, maintaining routines and encouraging regular exercise can also contribute to better emotional resilience. Regular contact with previous friends and family will also be key to help with the child’s wellbeing after migration.
A final word
Migration is a transformative experience for expat families and children, in particular, and can possibly lead to facing countless psychological challenges including culture shock and making friends. We have launched a Psychology Service at IMC to emphasise the importance of open communication, empathy and providing a stable support system during this transition. By understanding and addressing the emotional, social and cognitive impacts, parents and child psychologists can help their children embrace this new adventure and help them thrive in their new environment!
International Medical Clinic Camden
#14-05/06/07 Camden Medical Centre, 1 Orchard Boulevard
6733 4440 | camden@imc-healthcare.com
imc-healthcare.com
This article first appeared in the October 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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