Parenting Strategies are Shifting as Neuroscience Brings the Developing Brain into Clearer Focus

 

Parenting-strategies-are-shifting-as-neuroscience-brings-the-developing-brain-into-clearer-focus (article)

Terrific article by a behavioral scientist as she considers supporting toddlers and children in regulation, managing their nervous system response and the impact of old-school parenting methods. 

Early Intervention Family Town Hall - February 19th, 2026

 

Resources for Families

Caregiver Guide to Talking to Children about Immigration Enforcement (English)

Caregiver Guide to Talking to Children about Immigration Enforcement (Espanol)

Supporting Young Children Affected by Family Separation Policies | ZERO TO THREE

Tengo Miedo

Problematic Technology/Screen Use in Youth: What is "Normal" and When Is It Time to Unplug?

 Dr. Michael Fraser, will present on Problematic Technology/Screen Use in Youth: What is ‘Normal’ and When Is It Time to Unplug? This is a parent-friendly talk. 

Join Zoom Meeting, Friday 11/21 from 12-1 pm

https://Rush.zoom.us/j/97491844236?pwd=At7WalPNm41RQts16kKeaRPYd4njyw.1 

Developing an Emergency Family Plan

9/25 @ 5:00p on Zoom (in Spanish) - Metropolitan Family Services is hosting a session on Developing an Emergency Family Plan. Register here.

Fill | Registro de Taller Sobre Plan de Emergencia Familiar

25 de septiembre de 2025 a las 5:00 p.m. Ubicación: ZOOM

 

Important, Paid Research Study for Parents

Do you have a child between 30 and 47 months old with developmental, learning, or behavioral concerns. We want to hear from you! Pathways for Preschoolers is a research study focused on understanding how families navigate educational and healthcare services for young children. We know these systems can be complex, and we also recognize that Black and Latino/a families often face additional barriers when seeking support.

By sharing your experiences, you’ll help us identify solutions that can improve policies, medical care, and early education programs—ensuring all children get the services they need to thrive. Families who participate will complete five surveys over three years and receive compensation for their time.

As part of Pathways for Preschoolers, families also gain access to a monthly newsletter with parenting tips, local resources, playground meet-ups, and fun activities. Learn more and see if you're eligible at www.pathwaysforpreschoolers.org. 

 

Chicago Public Schools Special Education Resource Page

Chicago Public Schools has a helpful resource page for parents of children receiving special education supports. The link below offers not only access to health forms, a school locator and information on student transportation but also organizations that help families ready their children for the school year including visual schedules, park district recreational programs (with supports), etc. 

@specialeducationresources | Linktree

Free/Reduced Museum Admission

 

Museums for All

Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,500 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID.

Visit a participating museum any day during all normal operating hours (most Chicagoland museums are participating!).

Chicago Park District Fall Programming - Register Now!

 

Fall 2025 Programs | Chicago Park District

Online Registration Begins:

Monday 8/4/25 @ 9am: Programs at parks located West of California Avenue and all Virtual Programs

Tuesday 8/5/25 @ 9am:  Programs at parks located East of California Avenue

 Tuesday 8/5/25 @ Noon: Gymnastics Center Programming

In-Person Registration Begins:

8/9/25 or 8/10/25 
(varies by park)

InfantSEE

InfantSEE ®: Establishing a Lifetime of Healthy Eyes and Vision

Cooing, sitting up, and crawling are all signs that a baby is growing. But, did you know that a    baby's vision has stages of development too? Signs marking vision development are often less noticeable even to parents, teachers, and other health care providers. That's why the American Optometric Association recommends scheduling an infant's first eye exam around six months of age, immediately after the eye undergoes rapid and profound changes and is therefore most vulnerable to interference with healthy development.

InfantSEE, a public health program, managed by Optometry Cares - The AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, AOA member optometrists provide a no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessment for infants 6-12 months old regardless of a family's income or access to insurance coverage. 

Interested in having your baby's eyes checked? Click below to find a provider in your neighborhood.

https://www.infantsee.org/find-a-doctor

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

 

ICIRR Know Your Rights (Spanish)

ICIRR Know Your Rights (English)

ICIRR Know Your Rights Wallet (Eng/Spanish)

Mighty Hands Summer Camp

Mighty Hands Camp hosted by M Street Pediatric Therapy is offering fun summer programming for children 0-5, June 23-27th from 9-11 a.m. at Welles Park (2333 W Sunnyside Ave in Chicago). This camp experience is geared for babies, toddlers and kids who has a “preferred” side/ asymmetry in relation to hand use. This could be due to a pediatric stroke, cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, traumatic brain injury, or any other related conditions. Please see the flyer (linked above) for more information on using insurance (including Medicaid) to cover costs. Spaces are limited! If you have any questions or would like to sign up please reach out to Admin@mstreetpeds.com

How Does Your Temperament Compare to Your Child's?

The Infant Toddler Temperament Tool includes a short online survey that allows parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers to recognize and explore their own temperament traits and those of a child for which they provide care. 

The Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation states:

Temperament is an important feature of social and emotional health. Temperament describes the way we approach and react to the world. It is our own personal “style” that is present from birth. There are three general types of temperaments often referred to as easy-going, slow-to-warm, and active.

Easy-going children are generally happy, active children from birth and adjust easily to new situations and environments. Slow-to-warm children are generally observant, calm and may need extra time in adjusting to new situations. Children with active temperaments often have varied routines (e.g., eating, sleeping), and often approach life with zest. Children may fall into one of the three types of temperament but often have varying behavior across the common temperament traits. 

Sound familiar? Perhaps you can identify with one of these temperaments?  This online survey will allow you to gain insights into your own temperament as well as the temperament of your child. 

 

Old Town School is excited to partner with the Chicago Public Library again this year for family-friendly live music and special programs at branches all over Chicago during their Summer Reading Program! Catch your favorite Old Town School teaching artists and community members making music around the city this summer. We hope to see you out and about at these events, and please, thank a librarian while you're there!

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Kids & Family Schedule

Date	Day	Time	Program Title	OTS Artist	CPL Branch
6/26	Thurs	1:30 PM	Party Time? Let's Dance! (ages 6+)	Katie DeSalvo	Edgewater
6/29	Sun	3:00 PM	Music and Movement for Neurodivergent Kids (ages 0-6)	Julliana Castaneda	Oriole Park
7/15	Tue	6:00 PM	Group Singalong (ages 6+ / Families)	Julie Helenius	Independence
7/22	Tue	1:30 PM	Party Time? Let's Dance! (ages 6+)	Katie DeSalvo	Avalon
7/26	Sat	1:00 PM	Music and Movement for Neurodivergent Kids (ages 0-6)	Julliana Castaneda	West Town
7/26	Sat	3:00 PM	Group Singalong (ages 6+ / Families)	Will Fancher	Bucktown-Wicker Park
7/28	Mon	1:30 PM	Party Time? Let's Dance! (ages 6+)	Katie DeSalvo	Austin
7/29	Tue	1:30 PM	Party Time? Let's Dance! (ages 6+)	Katie DeSalvo	Humboldt Park
7/29	Tue	1:30 PM	Group Singalong (ages 6+ / Families)	Amanda Payne	Near North
8/1	Fri	1:30 PM	Party Time? Let's Dance! (ages 6+)	Katie DeSalvo	Sulzer

 

A Day With No Words

 

Town Hall Meeting for Parents in Early Intervention, May 6th

The director of the Bureau of Early Intervention is hosting virtual town halls with families of children in Early Intervention. During this time, caregivers can share experiences, ask questions, and voice suggestions to improve early intervention. Benny Delgado, Chief of the Bureau of Early Intervention, will be present to personally answer questions and respond to comments.

These meetings will be held online, and information will be presented in English and Spanish. The next town hall will be on Tuesday, May 6 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM in English/ASL and 7:30 - 8:30 PM in Spanish. If you are interested in participating, please register using the link here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/586748368

To find out more and for previous meeting notes, visit our website: https://eiclearinghouse.org/blogs/familytownhall/

Forget How to Play? How to Reconnect with Your Playful Side

 

Are you struggling to play with your child? You're not alone! Dr. Tina Payne Bryson validates the mental load and busy-ness of parenting. She provides tips for playing with your child that take just five to ten minutes. These short increments of time will promote connection and potentially ward off some behavioral challenges.

January 27th - March 9th

Families experiencing homelessness and/or housing instability can receive a one-time cash payment through the Illinois Department of Human Services. Please see the link below to see if you meet eligibility requirements.  

                Cash Assistance for Families in Cook County