The First 24 hours in a new Destination are Crucial in Teaching the Kids on how to Appreciate Their Holiday and not Take it for Granted.
Article Updated November 2018
Travel is a luxury and a gift. Travel is a child’s greatest classroom as you expose them to diverse landscapes, beautiful cultures, culinary delights and languages as well as introducing them to a different way of life, so foreign to their own. At Family Globetrotters we believe that it’s important to teach our kids to appreciate the wonders of travel and what a privilege it is to be able to do so. To us, the first 24 hours of any new destination is the most wondrous part and here are some practices you may engage in to help your children truly take in their surroundings and not take their holiday for granted:
TRAVEL TIPS YOU WILL FIND:
#01 – BUILD THE EXCITEMENT
Children, especially when they’re young, are easily affected by the moods we exude. Surprise, wonder and excitement can easily be built up if the parent/s creates that environment. Get excited! Build the momentum before you even leave for the holiday so the kids simply can’t wait to get there.
#02 – CREATE SMALL MILESTONES
In the same vein as creating excitement, create the countdown to the very first moment you are exposed to your destination. Start on the plane as you cruise towards landing and you can hear the wheels coming down, talk about how many minutes till you collect your luggage from the carousel and as you jump on your mode of transport to get you out of the airport, wait for it….wait for it…… I can see it! We’re here!
#03 – NO DEVICES
Keep electronics at bay, even for the adults for at least the first few hours. Remove any form of distraction so you can truly absorb your new surroundings.
#04 – BE ENGAGING
Look out that window and talk to your children about what you can see. Talk about anything that is unusual or drastically different to what you may be accustomed to. Create wonder. Take advantage of a child’s natural curiosity and ask them what they’re thinking.
#05 – AWAKEN THE SENSES
After checking into your accommodation and everyone is well rested, get excited about the first time you step out to explore your new holiday destination. As you stand on the street, beach or mountain, take a deep breath and inhale. Ask the kids what they can smell, can they hear anything strange or how does the air feel on their skin? You might be surprised by their responses.
#06 – USE THEIR IMAGINATION
To hone in on their imagination, ask your kids what they may think something is or what it does. You could also encourage the kids to also select 5 things to talk about which may be unusual to their normal way of life or something they don’t often see. It’s a great way to highlight cultural idiosyncrasies and makes for a great conversation.
#07 – COLLECTABLES AND MEMENTOS
Get the kids to keep any mementos that would help them remember a place. Collect items that will ignite their memory such as tickets, programs or maps and perhaps even create a little holiday journal for the years to come.
Are you turning your child/ren into a little travelling nomads? How do you keep it real and ensure they are grateful for all these worldly opportunities? We show you how. #familytravel Click To Tweet#08 – TALK ABOUT THEIR HIGHLIGHTS
At the end of the first 24 hours, everyone should re-collect their highlights of their first day. What surprised them? What did they love or didn’t like? What was their favourite thing? You are only limited by your imagination and if they see that as adults you haven’t taken the holiday for granted and show that you’re grateful, the kids will only learn by example.
The first 24 hours of any destination is the most important part of the holiday in terms of creating good first impressions. We always talk about that feeling when we are first exposed to anything new and different. Children need to understand it’s not just another city or all beach holidays are the same. Every destination is the sum of its rich history and its people. Let’s teach them to see beyond the toys, rides and sandcastles and ensure they are grateful for all the travel they do.
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2 comments
This has always been a challenge, but I always try to get them excited with an activity I have planned.
Good topic to talk about
Yes it doesn’t always work but the key is to consistently try. I am sure we’re making a difference subconsciously. They’ll thank us when they’re old enough to understand.