JoAnne Loper facebook post -- good catch JoAnne!

Hi friends and alumni!
The Today Show (CBS morning show) aired a segment on “How to Tame Your Tot’s Tantrum”. A Yale University Research-based study recommends parent training! Teaching parents to praise appropriate behavior, thus teaching children how to how to react when disappointed, frustrated and angry!!! Does this sound familiar?? 
All of us who have been “catching our child being good” for years can pat ourselves on our back and say “Good job attending Tuesday’s Child!”

In Support of Waiting on Kindergarten

The Neighborhood Parents Network is making an effort to get CPS to allow kids with IEPs, including social/emotional delays, to start Kindergarten at age 6. In support of their effort, Tuesday's Child, sent this letter.

To Whom It May Concern:

Tuesday’s Child supports the concept of children entering kindergarten at the age of six.  We believe offering a developmentally appropriate curriculum to children provides them with the necessary tools for continued school success.

In 2003 the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Task Force stated that one forth to one third of children entering kindergarten do not have the necessary skills to succeed in school, and a 2005 Yale University study estimated that more than 5,000 U.S. preschoolers are expelled each year – a rate three times higher than in elementary or high school.

There are children who need to spend additional time focused on the practical school readiness skills that preschool provides.  The preschool years emphasize and nurture increasing attention span, understanding rules and following directions. Practicing the art of conversation is another social goal for a preschooler, as is the art of taking turns or asking for permission. Sharing the teacher's attention is an important pre-requisite to kindergarten. Circle time is a time for preschoolers to practice and learn how to be inclusive, to sit patiently and hear about the key parts of his/her day.  Tuesday’s Child believes that for children with social/emotional delays, having an extra year to foster these skills greatly improves their ability to be life-long learners.

Sincerely,

Katherine Conklin, M.Ed                   Jo Anne Loper

Program Director                                Director of Parent Education

Introducing Tuesday's Parent

A continuing education and support program for Alumni

Tuesday's Parent is an opportunity to provide Tuesday's Child Alumni ongoing support, peer engagement, information and resources.

In-Person Alumni Group

Join us for a parenting group workshop as a Tuesday's Child refresher course which includes a Q&A, discussion and moderated by Tuesday's Child's Professional Staff.

Downtown Chicago Fiscal Management Associates 29 S. LaSalle St, Ste 1130 12:00 - 1:30 PM September 27, 2011 REGISTER October 25, 2011 REGISTER November 29, 2011 REGISTER

Northwest Chicago Tuesday's Child Offices 4028 W. Irving Park Rd. 7:00 - 8:30 PM September 27, 2011 REGISTER October 25, 2011 REGISTER November 29, 2011 REGISTER

Each session is $15 per person.
No food or childcare will be provided. You are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch or dinner to any session.

Online Support Group Network

Register for Tuesday's Parent Online Support Group Network and interact with peers and share your successes and challenges in a safe, private space.
Click here to register and be added to the waiting list. This opportunity is free!
Once the Online Support Group Network is active Tuesday's Child will send you an electronic invite to join our private group!

Tuesday's Child tips for Summer Activities

As parents, we are overwhelmed with options for summer activities.  In the parent magazines, on the Internet, and on television we see ads for beaches, waterparks, museums, and other play places. We also see opportunities for mini- or full blown vacations in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Dells, Indiana Dunes, etc.  But what is your child has a hard time participating in these types of activities?  Or, what if a simple trip to the local park often ends in disaster? This can make the summertime options daunting. 

Summer is the time of year that its easiest for “forget” some of the positive parenting concepts taught at Tuesday’s Child. One of the most important of those is predictability, that children often do best when things are predictable, and they know (in advance) what’s on the schedule. So, if mom or dad suggests and impromptu trip to the beach on a hot day, their kids may not rush to put on those bathing suits.  

Some of the basic concept taught at Tuesday’s Child can be used to take the “dread” out of summer and make it possible to successfully do all those activities we see in the magazines.

Antecedent Planning is the most important concept to deal with the unpredictability of summer. Plan summer activities with your child’s challenges in mind.  It might be that taking an extra snack, or planning a shorter trip, or walking instead of driving is all it takes for success at the beach. It’s also a good idea that your child know “the plan” in advance. So, set a schedule for the week, post it on a calendar the kids can see, and tell them each night about the next day’s plan.

Of course, using reinforcers, goal plans, and, of course, praise will go a long way towards having trouble-free outings.

Tuesday's on Tuesday - July 12, 2011

A "brown bag lunch" discussion with experts in child development and parent coaching from Tuesday's Child

Do you have a child who...
- Won't stay in bed at night..
- Takes FOREVER to get ready in the morning…
- Makes me dread going to the grocery store…
- Doesn't seem to hear when asked to do something (anything)…

Or do you know someone who does?   

Register for Tuesday's on Tuesday and get some practical advice and tips from TC experts. 

When

Tuesday July 12, 2011
12:00 -1:30 PM
Bring your own lunch and beverages.
Dessert provided.

Where

Hosted by Fiscal Management Associaties
29 South LaSalle, Ste 1130, Chicago, IL
Google Map this location 

Register

Registration Fee: $15
Register Online

Support Tuesday's Child - Prepare for the Summer!

Tuesday's Child is currently selling t-shirts and beach wear to support our programming to build happy families. You can purchase yours today!

To see a selection of t-shirts and beach towels, visit:
http://www.unclejerrystees.com/

To order, download an online order form here:
http://www.tuesdayschildchicago.org/documents/2011_Order_Form.pdf

Please fax a completed form back to us at (773) 282-5358. Thank you for your support!

New Website

Tuesday's Child is proud to roll-out a new and improved website located at tuesdayschildchicago.org. This new site will allow you to better connect to programs, updates and other information.

Success Stories
Tuesday's Child is always seeking new success stories from our programming to share with others. If you are interested in sharing your story please contact Tuesday's Child staff.

More Coming
Over the next few months Tuesday's Child will continue rolling out new improvements and exciting opportunities for current clients and alumni.

Please stay tuned to the Tuesday's Parent Blog and Tuesday's Child's website.