With our current media depicting the plight of thousands of refugees it's no wonder that children are starting to ask these questions. Every day they overhear conversations, see images or catch snippets of news. Trying to explain the current global situation to young children is of course by no means easy, but I don't think that means it should be ignored, or seen as irrelevant to them.
A simple & meaningful way we've used to explore the subject of refugees with young children is with the help of a special little bear who has a particular penchant for marmalade sandwiches. Paddington Bear is known & loved by children the world over, & of course one of the special things about Paddington is that he leaves his homeland to begin a new life in another country.
Michael Bond's classic story tells how Paddington bear fled from 'darkest Peru' as a stowaway in a lifeboat taking with him only his hat, briefcase & marmalade. It goes onto explain that Paddington was orphaned in an earthquake which destroyed his habitat & he was then cared for by his Aunt Lucy. When she could no longer look after him & moved to a home for retired bears Paddington sets sail for England.
Why did Paddington choose to go to England? His Aunt Lucy reassuringly told him:
"Long ago, people in England sent their children by train with labels around their necks, so they could be taken care of by complete strangers in the countryside where it was safe. They will not have forgotten how to treat strangers."
So with few belongings, just like the current refugees we see on the television & in the newspapers, Paddington arrives in a new country after a long & perilous journey.
To explore Paddington's story a little more with young children we found the following questions & wonderings useful.
:: I wonder how Paddington felt when he set off on his journey into the unknown?
:: Was he frightened, cold, hungry?
:: He might have felt alone & sad to leave his homeland & his only relative Aunt Lucy behind.
:: I wonder how the refugees we see in the media are feeling?
:: I wonder how we would feel if we had to leave our homes & everything we owned?
:: I'm think Paddington was very brave to make that journey.
:: I think he must have been very desperate to start a new life to take such a risky trip in a boat across the sea.
When Paddington arrived in London he still had a note attached to his coat that his Great Aunt Lucy had written for him.
"Please look after this bear, Thank you."
I wonder how we can help those people we see in the news who are leaving their homes for different country? Those people who have left their homeland behind to find a safe space for their families to stay. What can we do?
There are lots of things we can do to help, here are just a few that any family, school, or group could do.
1. Donate money to a charity which is helping to support refugees & Syrian families. Here are a few international ones, but check your local media for any smaller local charities which maybe offering help.
Save The Children
UNHCR
Oxfam
UNICEF
2, Check your local area for any collection points for items to send to refugee camps.
3. Host a bake/toy/book sale, or sponsored event. Why not ask your school if you can have a 'take a teddy bear to school day' or a 'Paddington Day' & donate money to one of the above charities.
4. Share the story of Paddington. Share how strangers from another country recognised his need, & welcomed him as one of them. If you have a cuddly Paddington toy you could ask individual children or a class to look after him & consider how they could help him & make him feel welcome.
5. See if you can find where different countries are on a world map or world globe. Can you find where Afghanistan or Syria are?
I hope this little bear & his story helps you & your kids in some small way to explore the current situation, & encourages you to consider ways you might be able to make a difference.