European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 5, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                 fun Way for parents kids to communicate by Chuck Vinch Washington Bureau Navy capt. James Johnson Deputy chief of the naval medical corps is on a Quot geographic Bachelor Quot tour in Washington . While his seven year Oid daughter Alicia lives 3,000 Miles away in san Diego. Its a situation that is All too painfully familiar for serf remembers who Are often separated from their loved ones for months and years at a time. But Johnson says he and his daughter Are As close As. Ever thanks to an innovative concept called Quot the writ connection a a kit designed to make regular communication Between parents and kids simple and fun. Quot it s hard for adults to sit Down and think about what a child would be interested in a said Melanie Rahn who designed the product Quot a lot of parents sit at a table looking at a Blank piece of paper not having any idea of what to write.�?�. A. A. A a a a a a v a a the writ connection makes it easy for parents to keep in close touch with kids aged 4 to 12. A three ring Binder contains a six months Supply of letter writing materials including various crafts projects activities calendars and endless suggestions on what to write about. Quot i like the fact that everything is geared toward keeping the child s interest Quot Johnson said. Quot it s a lot More effective than typing something on Navy  Quot Rahn originally designed the product for divorced parents about eight years ago. Military personnel began ordering it and in 1987 Navy officials in the san Francisco area entered into a Small scale test project on a couple of ships to fashion a military edition. Rahn set up the writ connection in a Way that takes a advantage of Brief colourful interesting concepts. Quot we purposely aim to keep things Short a she said. Quot its much More important to the child for the adult to write on a a consistent basis Tanto write one Long letter a  they May be doing while parents May have a map on which they can Mark their location to show the child where they. Are. A a a. A a a a. A a a there is also a monthly Quot activity project a which can Range from simple Cut and paste ideas to a Happy hairy sea monster a a figure that is glued on to an empty tin can to be filled with dirt and grass seeds sea include with the grass forming the sea monster s Quot hair As it grows. Included Are tips on How to write Short letters that will keep a child entertained hints on what interests children of various Ages and Quot Calendar cues in january for example the kit suggests telling the child about Quot your coldest day.�?�. Quot its something that t really look Forward to a Johnson said. Quot and it s easy for Alicia to do on her own since return mailers Are included. It really lends itself to  Rahn normally Sells about 500 to 700 kits a month but she said interest has picked up significantly among service members since operation desert shield began. The six month kit costs $24.95, plus $4 for shipping if ordered by mail. There Are also less expensive configurations one kit covers three months instead of   play met  your own Homecoming Ray in. Tow Witecy  Gra Rithaler. Wrap a a 8  i h Carton or a. Shoe Box with while paper and make a stage .  who front of the stage Quot Cox and Cut out the ship piano Nix characters maw a Many As a 1 a you need glut each character to a town Lapstich a. Ilyoufl�oectaii3it�?~ bomb Harne Corring ,. Craw do Tod lines Down. The eerie Othre St be Lilika an Arr Carnli pm Way a. Cifor  Cut out and a glue the tight Tower to the stage. Ryd the Piana ship along the dotted line and place  the. Pome . M you expect a Homecoming try sea. Cchiv. A Cut Cut and glue the Dock props to the stage. Fol the plane ship along the dotted line and place in so the she Showa. J hive Tun acting out a the excite merlot your jew Niyo a Homecoming. Writ connection Kite left Are designed to make regular communication Between parents and children both simple and fun samples above. Six for  family policy officials Are familiar with the writ connection and generally give it Good Marks although several said they thought the Cost was somewhat Steep. A a a a a it a a a. The kits As Well As brochures with More information. Can be obtained by writing positive parenting inc., 2633 East Indian school Road suite.400, Phoenix Ariz. 85016. Checks or Money orders should be made out to positive parenting inc. _. Wednesday december 5, 1990 the stars and stripes Page 13