NLDline
New Game Helps Children Feel Less
Anxious About Y2K
by Rondalyn V. Whitney
Y2K Connections is a scenario game that addresses the unpredictable problems associated
with Y2K. While there is increasing coverage in the media, very little information on how
to prepare and organize for the year 2000 transition has been published. This seemingly
simple card game helps to prepare us for plausible worst-case Y2K scenarios so we can
avoid at least some of them.
The game comes with directions on an audiocassette tape and in written form to appeal to
multiple learning styles. Players select cards and answer the questions presented. Bonus
cards get you extra game pieces which all combine to make a huge puzzle of the globe. This
cooperative game can be played on many levels.
What I like is that the kit helps kids who are concrete, literal, and anxiety prone to
deal with some of their non-articulated fears/concerns about Y2K in a positive manner. The
questions posed are based on the author's research that identified plausible situations
that we may encounter at the turn of the New Year. The questions are thought provoking.
For example, one card asks, "While you doubt the doomsayers' disaster scenarios, you
can imagine irritating inconveniences, including electrical brownouts that disrupt your
television viewing [and Nintendo play]. What hobbies could you take up for relaxation that
require no electricity or purchased supplies?"
For children who are literal and concrete, it promotes creative thinking but with a
rational and logical base from which to start. The game has helped to decrease the anxiety
of the children and adults I've played it with. The process promotes an increased
understanding, develops thinking strategies that promote preparedness, and facilitates
communication. When we played, my son Zac said, "I don't really want to think about
Y2K, it makes me scared." (I'd never imagined that!) We talked about being prepared
as a way to stave off worry, that preparation for what you can anticipate leaves you room
and resources to deal with the unknown, etc.
It's fun spirit promotes problem solving on abstract and large problems and leaves the
child empowered to make simple changes. Our son helps us put away groceries that we'd like
to have it the electricity goes off (we have lots of cereal stashed) and this week we're
off to buy that fire extinguisher I've been meaning to buy for years. This models for him
how to plan for problems in a logical, sequential manner which appeals to his learning
style and, in therapy lingo, is an important life skill to develop. Our son feels
comforted and encouraged now where, before, he was scared and unable to articulate it.
In the book, The Explosive Child the author talks about how children have
"meltdowns". What he doesn't offer, are ways to anticipate and prevent
meltdowns. As the end of the year 1999 approaches, children who are prone to anxiety but
who have difficulty expressing their emotions will quite likely grow increasingly anxious.
Meltdowns will occur more frequently because of this vague, internal sense of dis-ease.
This game can be one of those prevention strategies by bringing those vague feelings out
for discussion and resolution. I highly recommend this game for children and adults and
especially for children with learning problems. For more information or to attain a copy
of the Y2K Connections Game contact Jan Nickerson at Y Connect, www.Y2Kconnections.com or
at 222 Old Connecticut Path, Wayland MA 01778. (508) 358 7002; email: Y2KConnect@aol.com.