11/09/2026
Our kids have now been through three completely different school systems. Swedish school back home, a British international school when we first moved to Spain, and now a local Spanish one. 🇸🇪🇬🇧🇪🇸
We’ve learned so much along the way, so here are our best tips if your kids are starting somewhere new too.
1️⃣ Visit the school before it starts Some schools have an open house. If yours doesn’t, go anyway. Walk past, peek in, find a playground nearby. Before our kids started their Spanish school, we used to go to the school’s playground, which is open to the public after school hours. By the time they started, they already loved it. 🛝
2️⃣ Set aside proper time for homework every evening, for the first six months or so
New language, new way of explaining things they’ve done in class. This is exactly where they need your support and the best possible start. 📚
3️⃣ It’s often harder for older kids than younger ones
Our son started Year 1, our daughter Year 3. It was a much bigger contrast for her, her new class was further ahead in maths and other subjects than what she’d been used to in Sweden.
4️⃣ Don’t overload them with extra activities at the start
There’s already so much new to take in. Prioritise play and fun in between too. 🤸♀️
5️⃣ Have patience and trust the process, above all I’m not talking weeks.
Months, and honestly a year is completely okay too, for the language to really settle and everything to land properly. Be prepared that the first period can be tough. Every child is different, some walk straight in, others need a lot of support. Don’t lose hope. 🙏❤️
Save this if you’re planning a move with school-age kids, so you can find your way back here 💙
Follow for honest reflections on school life abroad 🇪🇸
