As a parent or caregiver, this scene may seem all too familiar. You’re traveling to visit family during the holiday season, or getting the house ready for guests to arrive, when your toddler has a temper tantrum. Tantrums occur when children are trying to get something they want or need. 

Each person’s background and story is unique

Emily came to JCFS after months of conflict and unhappiness. Through counseling she was able to identify unhealthy patterns and gain the strength to take control of her life.

Having books in the home is proven to positively benefit children in a myriad of ways. A two-decade long study found that the mere presence of a home library increases children’s academic success, vocabulary development, attention and job attainment.

Safety is a critical concern for families who have children whose communication may not be understood by everyone. The most constructive way to face these concerns is to have a safety plan in place that is updated and addressed on a regular basis.

No matter how much parents or teachers try to keep the “bad things” away, children’s lives are touched by trauma. Parents and other adults may struggle with how to talk to kids about tragic events. Taking a proactive stance, discussing difficult events in an age-appropriate language while respecting their emotional intelligence and maturity level, helps children grapple with “grown-up” issues. Addressing tough topics not only makes kids feels safer, but also teaches them about the world and helps them become critical thinkers. By investing young children with knowledge, compassion and strong character, we can give them the tools they need to make things better.

Paris recently joined our team 10 months ago as a Foster Care Case Manager.  She has worked in other related fields where she saw kids with special needs misrepresented and underserved and decided to make a career change to better support children and teens. 

Music education can have a profound impact on children--educationally, creatively and therapeutically. For trauma-affected children, the foster home environment can be the perfect place to nurture a love of music and reap the benefits just stated. Here are some suggestions to make that happen.

With speech and language disorders ranking among the most common disabilities in children, parents and caregivers are encouraged to learn the signs—and seek an evaluation—if they have concerns about their child’s ability to communicate. JCFS Chicago’s speech-language pathologists can offer timely guidance for families because May is recognized nationally as Better Hearing & Speech Month.

Welcome to the April 2019 issue of Bulldog Bulletin where we share the endlessly wonderful things our students, teachers and staff do here everyday! 

Changing the clocks back or forward can disrupt a child's sleep cycle, which can affect the entire family. Sleep is especially important for children as it directly impacts mental and physical development. It is important for children of all ages to have consistent bedtimes and relaxing sleep routines.