Dear Parents and Guardians of International Children,

I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is Katina and I am a Child Anthropologist. For the past twenty years I have supported children whose families have moved to Australia from overseas.

I support children by designing cultural activities for them that help them understand Australian culture while staying connected to your home cultures. In our activities we draw on the many strengths of your cultures as your children bring such a gift to us with the values you teach them.

Some of my work is designed for children individually after I create activities to suit a child’s unique experience of their cultural transition. This can take place in the child’s home or at school. Other aspects of my work take place in group settings with the family, in neighbourhood community settings, or in school playgrounds.

I recognise what a big change this is for your children to move to a new country, learn a new language, and adapt to living in a very different culture. The purpose of my work is to help make this time in their lives a happy one and to help make these many changes easier for them to handle.

I look forward to meeting and assisting your children and I welcome your family to Australia.

Yours sincerely,
Katina Woodruff-Roberts

Information for Parents and Guardians

Children see Katina for help with:

  • Moving to a new country and understanding a new culture
  • Getting used to new sets of cultural norms and values at school and in their communities
  • If needed, processing difficult experiences in their lives

After their work with Katina parents and teachers say the children are:

  • Happier and more relaxed
  • Confident in themselves
  • Proud of their cultural strengths from their first culture
  • Can make closer friends because they can understand their new cultural setting

Activities Katina does in her work with children include:

  • Having relaxed conversations with the child and supporting them in understanding and handling new cultural settings
  • Doing pretend play, storytelling, art, craft, music and games with the child
  • These activities that Katina selects for each child are designed to support existing and new cultural perspectives and strengths. These play interactions allow the child to express their original culture while at the same time learning about and becoming confident in their new cultural setting