Zippy Helps Youngsters To Cope

Following the loss of their son Todd on Sept. 11, 2001, Herb and Andrea Ouida created the Todd Ouida Foundation. The Foundation, along with celebrating Todd's birthday each year, sponsors Zippy's Friends for the students at .

Zippy's Friends was created in England by the Partnership for Children. It is a program that help children develop coping skills, social skill, and the ability to communicate feelings. It usually runs for 24 weeks, with one 45 minute session each week.

"The program provides parents with the opportunity to reinforce these skills at home," Gianna Apicella, School Psychologist/Behavior Analyst, said.

Zippy, a stick insect, and his friends, a group of young children, explore through six stories how to handle friendships, communication, feeling lonely, bullying, dealing with change and loss, and making a new story.

Illustrated by brightly colored pictures, young children learn how to confront each issue, not by being told what is right or wrong, but how to make a decision on their own of what is the best way to approach a situation.

At the beginning of each topic, one of the kindergarten teachers reads part of the story. Following that, the students explore their reaction by drawing, talking with one another or playing a game. Because repetition is necessary for young children, previous stories are reviewed prior to beginning the new one.

The program is now helping more than 120,000 children every year. For more information about Zippy's Friends, visit www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/zippy-s-friends.html.