Travel Tips
'The Wiggles' Early Childhood Consultant, Dr Kathleen Warren has provided some ideas and suggestions to help make your next flight with young children more interesting, comfortable and enjoyable.
Before you Travel
Young children are not keen on surprises. They are more comfortable with things they understand and that are familiar to them. Talk to them about the upcoming flight and include them in the preparations - show them the tickets or make having passport photos taken a real adventure. If you are able, make a visit to the airport before you leave.
Talk about what will happen so they know what to expect. Young children love stories. Tell them a story about the flight. Include information like:
- The journey to the airport
- The process of checking in
- Taxiing and take-off
- The pilots and flight attendants
Talk them through it again as it happens.
As well as telling a story you might be able to enact the flight. Start with them as the passenger and you as the flight attendant. Then you can swap roles and you can be a passenger who doesn't know what to do and the child can be the helpful flight attendant. This can help the children develop a sense of control over the situation so when it actually occurs, it won't be quite so strange.
The more children are prepared for what will happen, the less they will be worried by the situations in which they find themselves.
What to Take
Let the children have their own bag for the flight and encourage them to think about what they will take. Talk about things they'll want on the plane and steer them towards a special cuddly toy or security blanket that might help them sleep.
Look at their favourite toys yourself and see if there are any they could play with on the plane. For example, you might want to avoid toys that have too many small pieces, but plasticine might be useful. You might want to pack a couple of their favourite books and some paper and pencils, as reading and drawing are activities that can easily be done onboard. What you select to pack will depend on your children's interests.
Food and drink is available on the plane. You can explain to your children that meals are served by the flight attendant on a fold-down tray at their seat. You should request children's meals at the time of booking. You might also want to bring some small snacks that your children will enjoy. Water bottles* can also be useful and mean your children can have a sip of water when they want one.
Dress children in loose, comfortable clothes. Layers that allow you to take things off or add them according to the temperature. Also bring a spare set of clothes. Accidents do occur and both you and your children will feel happier if they can change into clean clothes. A soapy washer, a small towel or a packet of wet-ones can be useful.
At the Airport
On the day of departure try for as normal a routine as you can. You might consider writing your mobile number and your flight number on a label to be worn around each child's neck and also on their hand. Tell the children that the airport is a busy place and it is important that they should always be able to see you. Parental supervision is essential at all times. Children can be fascinated by what they see and could quite easily wander off on some expedition of their own.
Arrive at the airport in plenty of time. Then, after checking in, allow the children time to explore and investigate. A small snack before boarding can be a good idea and you might want to take children to the toilet before they board the plane.
In the Air
If the children can recognise numbers and letters, ask for their help in finding the seats. Once you are seated, help your children explore the various seat controls, the table, the lights, the seat belt and so on.
As the plane taxis along the runway explain what is happening. A quiet commentary on what is happening can help ease their fears. Perhaps they'll need you to put your arm around them as well. Earache can sometimes be avoided if children can suck on something. If your children do become upset for whatever reason at any time during the flight, try to comfort them, as you would at home. Rest assured that most of the other passengers will be sympathetic and eventually your child will settle.
If you are near a window children will be interested, at least briefly, in talking with you about what they can see, clouds, the ground, mountains, rivers, roads, lights. Just engage them in conversation and answer their questions.
On International Qantas flights where aircraft are fitted with an inseat entertainment system, most children will find something that will appeal to them. Show them how to use the system and be ready to help them find something that will be of interest.
Children and parents can certainly try some stretching exercises together. Occasionally you might want to take the children to the toilet or to have a look around.
On a long haul flight, parents will be hoping their children will eventually sleep. As you do at home, try to work through a simple routine. Remember, however, that they are in a strange place with unusual things happening around them. And, just as with adults, sleep might not always come as readily as it would if they were in their own bed at home.
On Arrival
Both you and the children are likely to be tired after a long flight, but be ready to answer their questions and to make sure they are kept informed about what is happening.
Have a wonderful holiday and remember you now have a fund of new stories to share with your children and now they will be able to tell the stories too.
