JUST.NOT.NORMAL.
This is such a surreal experience, isn’t it? As a member of JCC Chicago’s Early Childhood Social Services team, one of my primary roles is to support parents with brand new babies, toddlers and preschoolers through the various challenges that arise in family life. Last week in my JNew to Two (Or More) virtual moms’ […] Learn More ›
What Happens When Two Dads Go On A Playdate
Who knew that a playdate between two JCC Chicago preschool classmates would be the beginning of a burgeoning toy company? That’s what happened when Tyler and Reed and their fathers met at Flick Park in April of 2019. Their moms (both named Lauren and both nurses!) already had a lunch date planned and were anxious […] Learn More ›
Coronavirus Conversations
If there is one thing I have learned while raising children, it is that they are instinctively in-tune with me as their mother, and they pick up on all of my anxiety and fears even when I think they aren’t noticing. Children are smart, capable, and competent, and can almost smell any tension or nervousness […] Learn More ›
The Nora Project Comes to JCC Chicago
Imagine this scenario taking place in your child’s preschool classroom: One teacher, Shari, asked a child to join her in front of the class in her morning meeting. She brought Legos to build with this child, together. Another teacher, Annie, came over and asked if she could join in. Shari turned her back to her, […] Learn More ›
Just Because: Not Just A Tale of Two Siblings
As February is Jewish Disability, Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM,) it is being highlighted at JCC Chicago ‘Z’ Frank Apachi Early Childhood in a special way. Educators, Robin Bright and Juliet Ziak, designed a Book of the Month Club for their four-year-old classes as part of JCC Chicago’s Small Grants Program. This specific award […] Learn More ›
5 Benefits of Hebrew Immersion Preschool
Hebrew has gone through a profound revitalization as it has been reborn from a classical into a living language. The study of the Hebrew language is a valuable vehicle for encouraging students’ development as global citizens and fostering students’ commitments to dialogue and understanding. Beginning in August 2020, JCC Chicago Early Childhood at Beth Emet […] Learn More ›