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TH E DE TRO IT JEWIS H NEWS 1994/1995 TOUR DATES P20 Oct. 3-17 (adults) Oct. 3-17 (revisitors) Nov. 7-21 (adults) Dec. 19-Jan.2 1995 Dec. 22-Jan. 2 1995 1995 DATES Feb. 16-26 (11 days) Mar. 26-Apr. 9 April 9-23 (Pesach) May 1-15 (adults) May 15-29 (adults) June 12-26 June 19-July 3 Jury 3-17 **July 31-Aug. 14 Aug. 14-28 Sept. 4-18 (adults) **Oct. 23-Nov. 6 (adults) Nov. 6-20 (adults) Dec. 18-Jan. 1 Dec. 21-Jan. 1 THEATRE' ON TRH MOVZ DI MICHIGAN SATURDAY YOUTH PROGRAM SUMMER THEATRE CAMP BIRMINGHAM/ SOUTHFIELD AREA CALL (810) 642-1326 **Revisitors tours also available EL.WAL.111.27 A Perfect Family Gift... A Subscription to the Jewish News. 810-354-6620 SMOOTH page P19 and a lack of cooperation — non- verbal indicators of a child's dis- comfort and fear — challenge any adult's parenting skills. On a personal level, mothers and fathers who have centered their afterwork lives on their off- spring, may have extra hours and silent dinner tables to fill. Par- ents who have put off personal goals for the sake of the children may have to set new goals for themselves. Whether your little one is starting preschool or your son or daughter is off to college, antici- pating the changes that are about to occur is the first step in prepar- ing for the transition. Once the difficulties are acknowledged, there are some general principles that apply to dealing with tran- sition. Keep in mind, regardless of age, everyone feels better when he or she knows how to act and what to expect in a new situation. Start early. Anticipation and preparation are the watchwords for a smooth transition. Begin early to acknowledge the changes that are likely to result. Consid- er the physical and psychological changes that must be made. How will the transition affect individ- ual family members? What are the logistical demands of the change? Entry into a new school for one child may mean addi- tional carpools for parents and longer times in the car for a sib- ling. ties. Something as seemingly mi- nor as opening a locker or being unable to find a classroom may be looming in your child's fears. Bring all worries, complications, and fears into the open, then deal with each one. Make the unknown familiar. A child's fears often stem from the unknown. Often clarifying or fill- ing in gaps in knowledge will be the easiest problems you have to solve. You may be worrying about how you will pay for the new school; your youngster is more likely to be worrying about "Will I know anyone there?" and "Where's the bathroom?" Taking care of basic concerns like these B • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ring all worries, complications and fears into It' the open, then deal with each one. should be a first priority. One easy way to make a child feel more comfortable is to visit a new school before opening day. If possible, play on the playground and walk through the building. Call in advance to arrange to meet the principal, your child's teacher or another friendly face. If none of these is feasible, at the Make a calendar. Some tran- very least drive by the new school sitions require greater psycho- before the first day of class. logical adjustments than physical With college students the same ones; other transitions involve applies. Many students visit both mental and tangible ad- school before they begin the ap- justments. In both cases a count- plication process. Once a student down helps. The overt reminder is accepted, a visit to the campus of D-day adds excitement to the takes on new meaning. Taking event and underscores its im- advantage of all the orientation portance. More importantly, events is very important to help- counting backward from the date, ing a college-bound student feel allows you to set guidelines for prepared. accomplishing the necessary Network. The quickest avenue tasks to be ready. Buying sup- plies, filling in the wardrobe of to the "real scoop" about a new growing kids, coordinating car- school or a new city is other par- pools and extracurricular activ- ents and youngsters. If you are ities, or thinking through the enrolling your child in a new needs of a youngster attending school, ask the principal to give her freshman year at college take you the names of several families time and planning. with children the same ages as your children. Get the lowdown Talk up the positives. Children on the neighborhood, stores and need to know what to look for- the inner-workings of the school ward to. Build enthusiasm for from other parents. "the change" by highlighting its Introduce your child to one or benefits. Some advantages of the two youngsters who will be at- new situation may not appeal to tending the school. They may not you but be incredibly exciting to end up being best friends, but it's a younger child. Acknowledge the always nice to recognize a face in "rites of passage" that accompa- a crowd. For younger children, ny new grade school status. knowing an older child who also "Wow, in second grade, you have attends the school can be very a salad bar at lunch." "In middle comforting. school, you will change classes like Going to a new city is unnerv- your older brothers and sisters do." ing at best. Even if your college- Don't deny the difficulties. The bound student never needs the only way to head off fear is to face names and telephone numbers, it head-on. Every transition it is nice to have a list of people brings both benefits and difficul- SMOOTH page 22