HAVE EDUCATION WILL TRAVEL Educating Children in New Places

Your MKS will be TCKS mBXhMaO23Y&feature=fvwrelhttp:// mBXhMaO23Y&feature=fvwrel Your children will have an expanded world view They will begin to identify with other TCKS

Reflections of a TCK Where is home? Fragmented history… What does this passport mean? Stood out on purpose My escape was to be alone

No sense of what my passport really meant Adventuresome, but unsure Brain switches gears between countries or homes

Third Culture Kids “A TCK is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their parents’ culture. The TCK builds relationships to all the cultures, while not having full ownership of any.

TCK Definition Continued Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK’s life and experience, the sense of belonging in relationship is to others of the same experience”

Reality… Education is a big deal. One of the reasons families return to home countries is because of educational concerns and sometimes being unaware of what resources are available to assist families.

Further… Many more options available Many families use several options There are no right or wrong answers

Educational Planning Setting goals Knowing your children Learning about options Gather resources Evaluate and assess- every year

GOALS FOR MY CHILDREN WHAT DO I WANT FOR MY CHILDREN? –I want my children to… –I want my children to know… –I want my children to experience… –I want my children to be…

How well do you know your child? How do they seem to learn? How do they approach new things? Do they prefer to play alone or with others? How do you describe him/her? If school age, what does he/she enjoy most?

How do we feel about education? Did you like school? Attitude toward learning? What is your philosophy of education?

OPTIONS FOR EDUCATION SEND International policies What educational choices are there in our new country? What are others doing? Learn about choices- home school, national schools, international schools, etc.

We Have Landed… Preparing for national schools uniforms food and schedule supplies routines homework

Preparing to Homeschool Do I have the materials? What will be our daily routine? How will this work with language school? Do I just expect my pre-school age kids to sleep away the day ?

Attending the MK School Visit, complete registration, etc. Read parent handbook Check out needed supplies Confirm transportation arrangements Post the “events” calendar for the first month of school

Distance Learning North Star Academy Seven Star Academy The Potter’s School Global Christian School

Is Boarding School Ever an Option? Boarding school is not an option… Our kids are too shy or introverted Our children have learning difficulties Not an option for us Boarding school is an option…. Our kids are asking Athletic and arts opps. Our kids are in need of social interaction We are struggling with all other options

Common Questions Language issues Standardized testing Meeting grade level expectations Is this normal? When is enough, enough What is our end goal for each child?

Team Support of Families with Kids Schedule meetings with kids’ school calendar and schedules in mind Understand that home school moms have a full time job Support for resources needed to provide school option Encourage kids- role models

Helping Kids Face Transitions Children’s books/ adult resources Websites Know the phases of transition Allow everyone in your family to process of grieve individually, as well as together Be aware of your own emotions, thoughts, and feelings Acknowledge the new, different, strange, and difficult. But be ADVENTUROUS!

Helpful Resources Third Culture Kids- Growing Up Among Worlds. Pollock, David and VanReken, Ruth Interaction International Barnabas International

Helpful Resources Cont. SHARE Education Services AERC- Asia Education Resource Consortium Wycliffe Children’s Education sitewww.iched.org North Star, Seven Star, Potter’s School, Global Christian School Online- globalchristianschool.com

SEND Needs Teachers! Consider the impact of team members leaving the field so their kids can be educated Support MK schools with teachers and prayer Teaching kids is strategic ministry

Reflection What questions do we still have regarding our children’s education? Married, single, kids one day- what can I do to support the families who will be part of the team?