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Show Citizen - Wednesday, November 10, 1982 - Page 12 Warnings to children i i c - '" can be dangerous, positive : - : - I I f . ., fek 4,-B a iff 1 L. "" . ''it By SHARON MORREY Dr. William R. Birely, director of the Utah Center for Mental Health, sees the hostile climate today's children are living in much like the Chinese symbol for crisis Danger and Opportunity ahead. "We can utilize the opportunities presented here and become closer to our children, teach them to be more independent, or we can panic them, scare them and closet them from reality until they cannot function," says Dr. Birely. "I say let's be op-tomistic, op-tomistic, be positive about how we handle this situation." Dr. Birely and associates Dr. Sherry Aronoff, and Dr. E. Kim Johnson agree that children facing an era filled with news of poison, death and kidnappings face a real psychological danger as well. "If we ignore it, we have a problem," says Dr. Aronoff, "but we cannot just be reactive, we must be preventive." Dr. Johnson cites the example of a young girl motioned by a driver to go across the street to her school. The child panicked, thinking the man wanted her to come into his car, threw her books and bolted back to her home. Dr. Johnson says this isn't good, the child is obviously frightened beyond a healthy level. "The child and the parent instead of 4-H program draws national attention The 4-H Program at the Utah State Training School, believed the only one of its kind in the nation, received national attention last week. Keith Young, 4-H consultant at the school and a Utah State University extension agent, took films and information in-formation on the program to the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents convention at Baltimore, Maryland, explaining the benefits of such programs for the handicapped to 4-H leaders from throughout the United States. Young says the 4-H program for the handicapped at the training school is a pioneer in the program. While there are some limited activities in the 4-H areas elsewhere, "we have the most developed and expanded program anywhere," he said. Started several years ago, the 4-H program is now one of the most enjoyed en-joyed activities at the training school by the residents, and "has proven very beneficial in therapeutic treatments," he said. "through working with the animals, several of our residents have been reached where other methods have failed," he said. The program had its beginning under Dr. Dean Jones, then assistant superintendent at the school. The beginning included some indoor clubs such as cooking and crafts, and outdoor clubs on a very limited basis. Erf ol Burnes, the first 4-H director at the school, expanded the program with ; the aid of two half-time assistants. They had a variety of indoor films including the crafts and cooking, but with the addition of sewing, dancing, skating and others. The outdoor clubs included raising sheep and rabbits, with the addition of bicycle repair and safety and gardening' gar-dening' Volunteers from BYU came on Saturday mornings to serve as club leaders! Young joined the program five years ago when Burnes transferred to Salt Lake City. At this time, 4-H clubs began in Violet and Pine Cottages where th? residents couldn't get out to attend meetings. "We finally crossed the barrier into the areas of the severely retarded," Young smiled. 4-H activities were also taken to nursing homes where severely and profoundly retarded The ta El can matte you feel better. Let me help you review your insur ance coverages and needs Home, car. Iifeiand health There's no obligation obli-gation pall me for a Family Insur ance Checkup today J. RALPH BINNALL 120 N. 100 East ' American Fort 75&-35U Like a god neighbor, State Farm is there. ITATI fUM STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES Home Offices: Bloommgton. Illinois becoming fearful must be cautionery but try to respond intelligently," says the psychologist. "I see a flag for society here," comments Director Birely. "We can seize the opportunity to build trust between parent and child, closeness as a family or become a society of isolated individuals afraid of relationships, each other." All three psychologists see the chance to develop individuals who are discriminatory in their choices, whether it be in Halloween candy or in friends. "The important thing is to teach preventively," offers Dr. Aronoff, "Children learn best when they are not under stress. As soon as you introduce in-troduce fear or stress, it's real hard to process information through them." Dr. Aronoff approves of the "You're In Charge" programs currently being introduced in Provo Schools. The children are taught to be aware of themselves, their surroundings and how to avoid dangerous situations. The "Learn Not to Be a Victim" programs offered in American Fork by the Police Department bears similar earmark philosophies. "Children are taught to protect themselves, rather than reliance on a parent or teacher. "I'm not just a helpless victim," is the central residents were located. Further changes change when Superintendent Leonard Lavis came to the training school. "Supt. Lavis wondered why we didn't have a horse program," Young recalled. "We had the Clydesdales and the wagon which the residents enjoyed, and we had the Welch mares, but that's all." Shortly after, more horses were donated to the residents, along with tack and equipment. Currently they have 15 horses at the school, along with equipment including in-cluding special saddles adapted for wheelchair residents, and for the severely retarded. "We probably have the only saddles with seat belts," Young laughed. They also have special ramps for easier mounting for the youngsters and other equipment. Now Mr. Young dreams of an indoor in-door arena where the residents can ride all year round, and volunteers to assist with the program. This, too, has the look of becoming reality, with work now beginning on a building which will also house the schools "petting zoo." The school held its first rodeo for the handicapped this summer - an event that was "thoroughly enjoyed" by both participants and spectators. The 4-H activities also includes two 4-H fairs a year during which the residents and 4-H participants display their projects for everyone to see. Ribbons are given to the participants. Young said most clubs operated on Saturday when volunteers are available, although some meet in the afternoons and evenings. Volunteers are needed to work with the horse program, helping not only the residents in their riding efforts, but also training the horses. "Working with the animals is extremely ex-tremely healthful and beneficial for the handicapped, helping them learn control over their own behavior. It also provides the high school and college students with a meaningful activity after school," said Lynda Stewart Hiatt, volunteer coordinator at the school. Mrs. Hiatt said they could use 15 volunteers a day to help residents in the horse training and use program, as well as volunteers in other areas. To offer your services, call her at 756-6022. e Faff isi J 1 thought. They learn when to come for help, where to go for help and how to respond to any suspicious situation," says Dr. Aronoff. "Then they know exactly what to do and so do not get themselves involved," in-volved," proffers Dr. Birely. "My children all understand what they are to do. We've worked with them." The doctors suggest that parents teach by role play and not with lectures lec-tures or scare tactics. Even children as young as three can pick up a lot of valuable information, in-formation, says Dr. Aronoff, although she feels children this young must be closely supervised. "Older children can help watch out for the younger ones," suggests Dr. Birely. In his neighborhood, children walk as group to school and back still independent but safer than they would be alone. "See, here is another way we can use this situation positively. We become more involved as neighbors, civically more responsive to others." "My major concern has been that we do not become a nation of cynics," says Dr. Johnson, "This kind of thing does nothing more than perpetrate itself and that bothers me. We want to be careful not to fall into a 'self-fulfilling 'self-fulfilling prophecy' situation, becoming exactly what we fear we're becoming." "Of course these occurences, the kidnappings, the Tylenol tamperings, and others create a certain instability in society. We just need to remember and point out to our children that First FDirsG: SscoditOE EairaCss - Each depositor is insured to $100,000 by FDIC. First Security Bank of Utah, N.A. First Security Bank of Idaho, N.A. First Security Bank of Rock Springs First Security State Bank 4 P , V1 POISON IN THE CANDY? Children looking over their Halloween loot this year their emotional growth ; doctors explain.' these are exceptions. It is certainly reality but not what we expect," says Dr. Johnson. Parents must be careful in their presentation of "reality" to children, caution the doctors. "We all see people in here for help who have started with one little statement and generated into a wholly encompassing mistrust of mankind," states Dr. Aronoff. "Parents must realize the impact some statements could have on their child." "Listen to your child," suggests Dr. Johnson. "They hear things from their friends, scary things. 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"Evening mealtime is a good time to sort through things, and correct misunderstandings." he continues. Parents need to be careful of overreacting. over-reacting. At Halloween, some decided to nix trick or treating entirely. Drs. Birely, Aronoff, and Johnson fault this approach. ap-proach. "That's over-reacting, and potentially damaging to the kids," says Dr. Johnson. Dr. Birely says limited fun is a more healthy approach. "Simple precautions, such as knowing which Account really looks like 10335 on taxable income of $25,000 1L164 on taxable income of $35, 000 13357 on taxable income of $50,000 First Security All-Savers Account before December 31. Even if you have already started an All-Savers Account, you can open another to help you earn up to your maximum in tax-free interest. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which permits you to shelter up to $2,000 interest on a joint return ($1,000 on an individual return). Either way, our All-Saver Tax-Free Account is the surest way to get the guaranteed interest you want with insured safety. It's a tax break you deserve. Sign up at any First Security Office before December 31. may pick up fears that could influence homes your children go to, and going with them, supervising the candy eaten, go a long ways to preserving the holiday and yet keeping safe," he comments. "Avoidance creates so many problems," says Dr. Aronoff, "Phobias are created for which the treatment is to face their faces in stages, from the least fearful to the most fearful." Avoidance is not a viable answer, according to the psychologists, but rather an approach where parents take up the responsibility to teach independence, self-reliance and safety to their children. this: penalty, |