Preparing 4 year old for international trip?
 

We are travelling with our four year old and 11 month old this summer. We'll primarily visit Slovakia (about 12 nights) and Croatia (6 nights). My wife is of Slovakian descent so I have focused more attention there. It is not my daughter's first international trip, but since she is more aware and communicative, I am trying to help her get more from the trip.

We have started learning a few Slovak words and hopefully will have a few down by the time the trip rolls around. She can be shy, of course, but hopefully a lot of practice now will get her to use them at least a couple of times. We also watched the Rick Steves video for Dubrovnik and the one for London, where we have a layover. I got a kids' book from the library on Slovakia but it is for older kids.

Any tricks you've tried that have worked particularly well? Thanks!

Learning about the unusual things she might see (like the double decker red buses, different fire trucks, policement, that sort of thing) in London, and give her a 'spotting' card that she ticks when she sees on, with points for the item that get a special 'treat' (could be a toy, ice cream, whatever your budget and preferences are). You can do one for the airport (plane, flight attendant, pilot, bag x-ray machine, etc) and one for each day (with a little judicious 'planning' on mum and dad's part, you can pop in Big Ben / The London Eye / Buckingham Palace etc on the right day along with some easy ones like 'pidgeon' and 'river'!

We use maps to look at the flight routes and driving routes and to let our boy know how much time to expect to get places. Talking in advance about the different expectations, particularly for meals, can be helpful, and teaching her some common words will be great and help give her some confidence.

I'm never organized enough to do anything putzy like making a "spotting" card, but generally talk animatedly about a few things he can expect to see, and he's eager to point them out when he thinks he sees something.

Great ideas! We've spent some time looking at maps and the globe in the past, but I had not gone through that with her this time. A bingo card for London sounds good. Perhaps that's a task her mom can undertake. :)

Dear Mrs Alamedaguy,

Please find enclosed a link for an I-spy London and an I-spy Airport. Now take the time saved, and enjoy a hot bubble bath and glass of wine ;) I knew these things existed (I remember my little brother having them for cars, nature etc) but the name eluded me!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Spy-London...ref=pd_sim_b_4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Spy-At-Air...7999130&sr=1-8

and this one looks kinda fun too

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guy-Fox-Lond.../ref=pd_cp_b_1

I didn't know those still even existed, i remember having 'I spy on the motorway' and finding it great fun ;) 'I spy at airport' would likely be great for my own 4 year old as we travel in 2 weeks time :)

This book was popular with my 4 year old on his first international trip:

http://www.amazon.com/Lisas-Airplane.../dp/0375811141

It's important to prepare a kid for an upcoming trip but it's more important to take the kids into consideration during the trip. I mean make sure that you stay at places with pool, or playroom. If you book a train journey there are family compartments. Allow extra time to see sights.

I have 3 kids under 6 and Mr. Nacho and I used to see a city and the outskirt plus shopping in 48 hours at Pre-kids time, now to do the same thing it takes 5 days - playground stop, eating stop etc. things take time with kids.