Children & Adolescents

As the school year winds down, many parents are preparing for the transition to summer camp and unstructured time in between. This is an ideal time to start reviewing with your child how to set and maintain personal boundaries in this new environment.

Administrators of JCFS Chicago’s S.M.A.R.T. Kids abuse prevention program have been receiving positive feedback since implementing the initiative last February.

Open lines of communication between children and parents are vital in empowering young children to make safe choices and to keep themselves safe. JCFS Chicago has created a list of tips to help you create a welcoming environment for these important conversations.

JCFS Chicago partners with families and community organizations to help educate and find resources for teaching children the more sensitive topics such as child safety and abuse prevention.

Going back to school can bring excitement for some kids, and for others, trepidation and worry. The summer-to-school transition triggers many different types of anxieties, such as separating from caregivers, new routines, and navigating complex social situations at school. The most common anxieties for older children include peer acceptance, academic performance, and navigating familial relationships.

In honor of International Friendship Day, we want to highlight the importance of friendship in the role of personal and social development, as well as resources that JCFS Chicago offers to help children and teens build healthy connections.

Transitioning from virtual learning to going to school in-person can make students both excited and stressed. While excited to see their friends and teachers in the classroom, they might feel stressed about getting used to a new daily routine and being around more people. Here are some self-care tips for going back to school.

Everyday household activities can be great learning opportunities. They help get the daily chores done while having fun together!

Whether joining online, in person, or a hybrid, our kids are going back to school in the fall, and it will look remarkably different from past first days of school. Read more for tips to set your kindergartener up for success. 

They say it’s never too early to learn how to swim, save for the future or teach your children how to do their own laundry. Teaching laundry skills by measuring the detergent, sorting, folding and putting clothes away can all transfer to successful work skills later in life.