To go travelling with 5yo

[Namechanger2468]

It would mean dd missing 2 terms of school. We (DH, DD and I) are moving house soon so we'd do it in between moving areas, so between different schools. I'd do schooling daily and do know what I'm doing there. Academically she'd be OK, though she would only have two of us to share ideas with, but the travel might compensate for that.

Anyone have experience of this? We go on lots of holidays so am not bothered about the travel side of it, it's more taking DD out of school and being away for an extended period and that effect on her.

You mention the socialisation, and that might actually be a bigger issue than you think.

At 5 she is learning to make friends, negotiate, lead, accept when she can't lead...all the relationship building stuff they learn in the playground or with regular friends/groups. Being transient for 8 months will mean that she's not going to get the same experiences, and even if you are places with kids there will be language barriers and you will be moving on rapidly, which will make it hard. She will need to be extraordinarily outgoing, but not get too attached, otherwise she will really struggle to either make friends, or to leave them.

Growing up i was hospitalised for nearly a year when i was 4 and in a private room in the hospital. I became absolutely fab at chatting to adults and didn't lack for attention or company but had no clue when it came to other children, when I went to school it was an absolute disaster because the kids didn't react to me the way I was used to people reacting to me and I struggled very much to make friends for years, i vividly remember how confusing and horrible it was.

Just remember that school isn't all about academic learning.

Good points Cinderella

Yes, cinderella that's pretty much my main concern.

Also, she'll be coming back and starting when the other kids are in the midst of a year, they've made friendship groups and are used to the routine, the teacher, sitting and listening (at least nominally!) and general school life.

Your DD will have to adapt, learn to fit in and pick up the school routine, as well as a change in home routine, new home, no more travelling (when it will be most of what she can remember). Only you know if that is an big ask for her or not, my dc would have fallen to bits. It just seems a huge amount of obstacles to put in her way while she's starting out, and I don't think at 5 she will learn much from travelling the world, she's not staying long enough to absorb the cultures, she'll see lots of stuff but how much will a 5 year old retain and process?

I would do it!
The only thing that would worry me would be when you return, and she is back in school...
Has anybody heard of the pyramids?
Yes miss. I saw them a few weeks ago.
Has anybody seen a big waterfall?
Yes miss. Niagara falls.
OK, has anybody any idea what life is like in Africa?
Yes miss. Mud huts and no toilets.
OK, apart from Fred. .. has anybody heard of...
I know ds wouldn't let anybody else answer!

Even so, I would have loved to do something like that. Still would!

Apologies as have only read op but my initial thought is DO IT!!
You will all gain so much from it that cannot be taught in a classroom.

DP & I met whilst travelling & hope to get our finances in order to allow some short term but frequent travelling with DC. Perhaps 2-3 months every other year from next year. They will be 4 & 1.

Good luck op

Great points cinderella

Sounds totally amazing. Me and my DP are planning on taking our ds travelling one day. Would love to know how you get on!

You will all gain so much from it that cannot be taught in a classroom.

As I posted upthread it's completely unreasonable to compare travelling abroad with learning in the classroom. Why anyone would think they were in any way comparable is beyond me.

I would do it in a heartbeat, Im travelling with my girls this year but only small cheap trips (as eating pasta to travel and chasing down all term time bargains) and I home educate.

Really at 5 a child does not need to be in formal education as evidenced by many countries around the world where children do not start school until they are 6 or 7 years old.

Other cultures are so much more child friendly than our own and your child will get loads of socialisation with many different ages, my 6 year old loves being the youngest quite often as she gets so much attention, the flip side being when there are other kids around she is also very happy and in her element. Two great flip sides.
This opportunity may not come again so grab it with both arms and enjoy the experiences.