Parenting
Five Essentials to Meaningful Play
The famous Mr. Fred Rogers once said, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” At JCC Chicago Early Childhood, we believe that play is essential to a child’s development. It helps build their self-esteem, […] Learn More ›
The Fine Art of “Play Dating”: 13 Tips to Create a Successful Experience
Over time I have learned that, much like the art of dating, setting up a successful playdate for children requires a bit of finesse. In order to avoid the potential pitfalls that can arise when putting young children in the same space together, it is important that the coordinating adults help structure the experience to […] Learn More ›
Talking To Children About Israel
In these challenging times, it can be difficult to find the right words of comfort to offer those impacted, not to mention the proper support for young children. Below are some pointers on how to respond to young children should they bring this up at home, followed by some articles you can read for further […] Learn More ›
Managing Children’s Social Anxiety
Do you have a child that is super playful and creative at home, but when it’s time to go to a playdate, attend a birthday party or participate in music class, they become frozen statues or terrified screaming animals? Let’s be honest, it’s kind of annoying and embarrassing, right? My daughter was and sometimes still […] Learn More ›
Chew on This: How to Help a Picky Eater
Of all the daily challenges that parenting a young child brings, dealing with a picky eater can be one of the most frustrating. After all, eating seems like such a natural process to most adults, that it can be confusing when a child doesn’t approach food with the same instincts as we do. Not to […] Learn More ›
Chew on This: Strategies for Responding to your Child’s Biting
Getting a call from your child’s teacher, only to learn that they have bitten one of their peers or have been bitten by someone, can be alarming for parents. Not knowing how to react or what to do can often leave you feeling helpless. It is important to understand that biting is a normal developmental […] Learn More ›