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Calliou Help your child avoid anxiety over new summer experiences
By Allison Gaddess

Vacations can be a welcome break from school, but sometimes adults forget that new adventures can often be overwhelming for young children. This month, you can help the children in your life prepare for family trips or summer camp by guiding them through the range of emotions that accompany these experiences.

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Aimed at children between the ages of 2 and 6, Caillou features a curious four-year-old who learns about life one adventure at a time. On Monday, August 4, Caillou experiences some of the joys and challenges of summertime trips.

He learns the best way to pack a suitcase, has fun at the beach with his family, gets nervous while camping out with Grandpa, and misses his friend Sarah while she is away on her own vacation.

Caillou airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on WHYY TV12.

Do
Take an Imaginary Trip Help your child prepare for an upcoming trip by acting one out in your own home. Encourage your child to be an active participant.

What You'll Need:

Small suitcase or bag
Props for an overnight stay (toothbrush, blanket, clothes, etc.)

Instructions: Ask your child where she would like to go, what she would like to bring, and what sort of transportation to take. Find a small bag and help her pack some of her own clothes, toys and other essentials.

Use different areas in your home for different parts of the trip. Be sure to allow time to finish the play by pretending to return home, and ask your child how she would feel about going on a real trip someday.

Write a Letter Children often feel sad when loved ones go away on vacation. Help your child write a letter to a friend or family member who is away. Encourage your child to express his feelings.

What You'll Need:

Paper
Pens, markers or crayons
Envelope

Instructions: Ask your child to describe how much he loves the person who is away. Help him think of all the fun things he has been doing at home, and make sure he includes them in the letter. If there is time, you and your child can mail the letter, or keep it until the loved one returns.

Vacation Storybook After returning from a vacation, you can help your child create a keepsake of your trip.

What You'll Need:

Paper (heavier paper works best)
Crayons or markers
Glue
Yarn or ribbon

Instructions: Stack as many sheets of paper as you like, poke holes along the sides and lace the pages together with yarn or ribbon. Ask your child what her favorite parts of the trip were and use these memories to write a story about your family vacation.

Your child can draw pictures on each page, and you can attach photographs and other souvenirs, like tickets or brochures. When you're done, read the story and talk about how your child feels when you take a trip together.

Read

Stella, Star of the Sea by Marie-Louise Gay This charming story of a brother and sister's day at the beach will help your child understand that new adventures are fun and exciting, especially with someone you love. Recommended for preschool-aged children.

Arthur's Family Vacation written and illustrated by Marc Brown Arthur wants to go to camp with his best friend, but he has to go on a family vacation instead. When rain threatens their fun, Arthur plans outings that aren't affected by the weather. This humorous book teaches children that they can make the best of any situation. Recommended for pre-school and school-aged children.

Olvina Flies by Grace Lin Olvina the chicken is afraid to fly, but when she's invited to the Annual Bird Convention in Hawaii, she overcomes her fear. While the focus is on airplane travel, the message of this delightfully illustrated story will reassure children who are anxious about any new experience. Recommended for preschool and school-aged children.

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Stephen Gammell When the relatives from Virginia arrive in their rainbow-colored car, it looks like it'll be an interesting summer -- and it is. This funny and touching tale will help your child to appreciate time spent with family. Recommended for pre-school and school aged children.