How can we welcome children who have fled to Norway? – Dagsavisen
What can we do to make children who have fled and come to Norway feel safe and taken care of? Save the Children has talked to children who have come to Norway as refugees, and received their advice and recommendations. Whether you are a student, teacher or parent, there is much we can do to make children who have fled the war in Ukraine or other countries feel welcome.
A good welcome means a lot
Children and young people who have fled to Norway tell Save the Children that one of the most important things for a good welcome is to be seen and talked to. But they do not expect you to speak the same language as them. A smile, an invitation to play or a “high five” may be enough to make Ukrainian children feel welcome in the classroom, in the schoolyard or in their free time. Use your body language to communicate, and show that you are curious, interested and accommodating. Maybe you can also learn a word or phrase in their language to welcome them?
[ Slik ser det ut på innsida på Råde mottakssenter ]
2. Never stop asking and listening
Many children who have fled have a need to tell about what they have experienced, since it is a central part of their story and how they feel. For some it is important to talk to professionals, while for others it is enough that only someone will listen to them. Let them tell at their own pace and on their own initiative. Remember that you should not take responsibility as a professional would do, but the care you show can mean a lot to the narrator.
Give children a place to belong
Feeling united, a place to belong, is important for the children who come here to feel safe. They must feel welcome and included, and be encouraged to take part in the community. In practice, this can mean that they get a quick place in the classroom, that a classmate is given an extra responsibility to take them to games and activities, or that they are asked how they are doing and that someone says «so nice to see you ».
4. Give the children a break from what they have experienced
Children who have fled war can carry a lot of grief and loss after everything they have left and everything they have lost. Maybe they have to leave family members, and worry about how those who are left in the war are doing. At school, they can get a respite and an opportunity to think about other things. Here they become part of a group with new thoughts, challenges and relationships they have to deal with. A lot of play and activities, such as playing football, may be necessary to start to get the mind away from all the pain.
[ Barneombudet advarer om regjeringens flyktninggrep: – Dette er alvorlig ]
5. Invite the children to leisure activities
Having something meaningful to do in your free time is important for all children. Children and young people who are new to Norway may have a great need to be with others after school, they must re-establish themselves and make friends. And they want to continue with their interests, as they did in their home country before the war broke out. You as a fellow student can ask what the new children like to do in their free time, and then you can show them where they can go to join the sports team, the corps or the leisure club. Everything that happens in leisure time does not have to be organized, as parents can encourage their children to ask the new students if they want to join after school.
Keep yourself updated. Receive a daily newsletter from Dagsavisen