O ft cuide

Making Memories

Family

traditions give

children a sense

of belonging,

and Chanukah

is a wonderful

THE DETRO T J EWISH NE WS

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time to start.

VICTORIA CRENSON

SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

W hat
. do you remember about Children's and Adolescents' Men-
Chanukah? Is it preparing tal Health Center at Johns Hop-
and eating sizzling hot lathes? kins Hospital and a professor of
Perhaps it's lighting the meno- psychology at Johns Hopkins
rah each night, or playing drei- Children's Center, says that the
del, reading a favorite book, simple things families regularly
singing songs, opening gifts?
do together, at holidays like
Dr. Leon Rosenberg, a child Chanukah as well as throughout
psychologist, has a theory about the year, can have an enormous
the happy memories of youth.
impact on a child's self-image.
They're important.
"By creating family traditions,
Dr. Rosenberg, director of the parents are giving their children
a foundation for their feelings of
Victoria Crenson is a Maryland
security and well-being," says Dr.
writer.
Rosenberg, who has been with

the children's center for 32 years. during times of anxiety," com-
Chanukah, with its festive and ments Dr. Rosenberg.
joyous family traditions, offers
"Anything a family does regu-
many opportunities for parents larly — playing a special game,
to help children develop self-con- taking a walk, telling stories —
fidence and a sense of belonging, can become a family tradition and
he adds.
something a child can count on
It doesn't take much. Even re- and look forward to."
peating just one or two activities
The love relationship with par-
each year is enough to create a ents is, of course, basic to a child's
"family tradition" in a child's sense of security. But doing things
mind.
together adds immeasurably to
"Predictable and enjoyable rep- that sense of security.
etition of the simplest activities
"It's hard to make a list of fam-
gives kids something to hang onto ily traditions because each fam-