How our children who are adopted internationally have lived in their orphanages will affect how they try to adjust to their new lives in our homes. We may find that our children need to actually learn how to play and how to be children. Some of our internationally adopted children have missed childhood completely. They may be afraid to make noise, to move around, or to pick up objects. When adopting internationally, it is a good idea to expect to take some time acting as a child yourself. Children mimic very well, and as you play with your child, your child will learn to be a child. It is also beneficial to have other children spend time with your newly adopted child.
