Children can learn about the basics of emotional health at an exhibit opening this week at the Museum of Science and Industry.
The exhibit incorporates video games, computer-generated photographs and theater to teach children about three components of emotional health: self-esteem, openness about emotions and avoidance of alcohol and drug abuse.
”Kids` Starway: A Path to Self Discovery” is a three-part exhibit designed for children ages 7 to 12. It was planned by Jerome L. Schulman, child psychiatrist and chairman of the child psychiatry department at Children`s Memorial Hospital.
Schulman said the exhibit`s goal is to encourage prevention of emotional health problems. It is not intended to cure emotional illness.
”I would say the biggest problem children have that doesn`t require professional help is poor self-concept,” Schulman said. ”If we feel comfortable about ourselves, we have a much more successful life.
”The next thing we consider important is the ability to express feelings. Many children lack a vocabulary for feelings.”
In the self-esteem part of the exhibit, children play a ”game show” in which they are rewarded not just for winning but for continuing to take risks. The feelings section of the exhibit includes a ”feelings theater” with videotaped characters acting out a variety of emotions in appropriate and inappropriate ways.
The drug and alcohol abuse section includes an actual car wrecked in an alcohol-related accident and allows children to ”walk the line” wearing a pair of vision-impairing glasses that simulate the visual effects of drunkenness.
The exhibit will open at 9:30 a.m. Thursday and will be a permanent part of the museum at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The exhibit is free with museum admission, which is adults, $5; senior citizens, $4;
children 5 to 12, $2; children under age 5 free.
