Creative Storytelling Workshop

We can joke, but this year has been traumatic on many levels. Third culture kids have experienced more grief and unexpected moves more than usual so we need to help them debrief and process even more than usual. This Creative Storytelling Workshop explains the importance of consistent debriefing and equips you with THREE easy to use activities to process the ups and downs of this year with your TCKs. Good luck!

TOP TIPS FOR debriefing via video

  1. Use music to set the mood!

    • A quick dance party will get the wiggles out, make everyone feel goofy and more relaxed, complete a stress cycle after talking about big feelings. Google stress cycles and how we can mimic them to release stress from our bodies, so fascinating!

    • Play music in the background as TCKs are completing the worksheets below or answering a journal prompt. It keeps awkward silence to a minimum and gets the creative process going.

    • Make sure your video settings allow background music to be played without getting choppy and weird. Learn how here!

  2. Think outside the box.

    • Don’t get stuck in the adult mentality that video conferences are only for meetings and talking

    • Share the worksheets (below) with parents and TCKs ahead of time, you can all print at home and fill out together, even at a distance.

    • Get our full Virtual Guide Groups curriculum for lesson plans, game ideas and crafts that work great over video!

Downloads

BONUS

Use the “Life is a Journey” to engage with your youngest TCKs.

  1. Print the worksheet or blow it up to poster size!

  2. Fill a bag or box with small toys and objects such as cars, dolls, houses— the more variety the better! (Printed photos or simple drawings would do in a pinch)

  3. Have TCKs (ages 7 and under) select objects to place along the road as they tell you the story of the last year or few months

    NOTE: with younger kids keep the debrief time frame to under one (1) year. Use a life occasion like “your last birthday” or “when you moved ______” to help them create their timeline.

Resources we Mentioned

These resources were either mentioned by Jessi during the workshop or shared by others in the chat!

Raising Up a Healthy Generation of Third Culture Kids - Lauren Wells of TCK Training writes a practical guide to maximizing the benefits and minimizing negative manifestations of the common challenges of the TCK life.

Faith and Your TCK - If you have access to Faith and Your TCK, use the Frame of Identity to pair with the snapshot worksheet.

Spotify - Check out our kid-friendly Spotify lists that include our favorite TCKs songs, great dance party songs, and songs to play in the background for debriefing sessions. 

MTI Pre-field Children’s Intercultural Programs (CHIPs) - This organization does pre-field preparing for kids who are about to move overseas.

Third Culture Kids: A Gift to Care for - This book by Ulrika Ernvik addresses the beauty and challenges of the TCK life and talks about the importance of deep and meaningful relationships.

Dance Therapy and Embodied Grief - Written by Laura Remillard at Lesley University, this thesis talks about how dance can be beneficial for children dealing with grief. While it specifically mentioned children who have lost loved ones, it can also relate to TCKs who have grief.