1 / Choose a stay adapted to their age
If this is your child's first colo, and especially for the youngest, it is better to start with short stays, ie a week at most, before considering longer stays the next time. To find THE colony suitable for your child, you can consult the UNOSEL website, which identifies serious organisms.
2 / Inform you to better reassure him
Brochures, information meetings … To prepare your stay as well as possible, get as much information as possible and share with him all the information on the place, the organization and the planned activities.
3 / Make sure they are in good shape upon departure
During these holidays away from home, children need energy to easily adapt to their new environment. Not to mention the activities that will punctuate their daily lives. So no question of letting them go exhausted. Before departure, make sure they get enough sleep.
4 / Prepare for separation
Often, trip organizers prefer to avoid parents and children communicating by phone, or at least as little as possible, for a simple reason: for the youngest, hearing the voice of mom or dad can suddenly generate too much full of emotion which in no way represents the state of mind in which the child was a second before the phone call. Better to communicate in writing. The good idea: send him a comforting note or a small package a few days before departure so that he finds him when he arrives.
5 / Mark their business
A child's bedroom is rarely a model of order and Feng shui. So imagine a colo dormitory, with 4, 6.8 children (or more) per room … To help him find his way, mark each of his clothes and affairs of his name, his initials or a sign of your choice.
6 / Provide pocket money
Most stays include all expenses, so your child will not necessarily need money. If you plan to give him a sum, even a symbolic one, he can allow him to buy a treat, a postcard or a souvenir during a possible free time. It’s also a good opportunity to teach children to manage their pocket money. For the amount, it's up to you. If in doubt, ask the organizers: they know the program and the environment in which the children live, and can advise you as best as possible.
Read also :
⋙ My child goes to colo: what do I put in his suitcase?
⋙ 3 good reasons to let your child get bored during the holidays
⋙ DIY ideas to keep kids busy during the holidays