Moving is often hard for children. It uproots them from their home, school, and friends, sometimes causing anxiety, grief, and depression. But for many children, moving is an unavoidable reality, so it’s important to support them through this experience.
In Sandy Flies South, children follow a plucky sandhill crane as she struggles to leave her friends to fly to a new home many miles away. The story explores common emotions and adjustment challenges that are part of the moving experience. It also introduces some important skills and insights for navigating a relocation, including:
- saying goodbye
- expressing feelings
- seeking out support
- making new friends
Beautiful illustrations and a catchy rhyme immerse children in the story and help them reflect on their own experience. Read the story to children at home or in session as a prelude to exploring their feelings about a moving-related challenge.
Suggested UsesValidation: Use the story to normalize the experience of moving. Talk about the inevitable ups and downs that are part of relocating. Which aspects of Sandy’s story do children most relate to? How does their experience compare to Sandy’s?
Emotion Exploration: Use the story to explore children’s feelings about moving. Did they struggle like Sandy when they learned they would be moving? What was it like saying goodbye to their friends? What obstacles did they face fitting in at their new school?
