Smart Love Family Services eNewsletter

Dear Parents, Friends and Colleagues: After a busy Summer offering parent and tot classes and appearing at many street festivals, we have kicked off the fall by adding an expanded schedule of Toddler Explorations classes. Some classes still have available slots so sign up early to enjoy the fun. I am so happy to announce that renovation is well underway at Smart Love Preschool to open this Fall. We will have two classrooms, a children's library and beautiful outdoor space! Visit us at the NPN School Fair on October 16. Carolyn Stolper Friedman, M.A. Executive Director Fall 2010		Toddler Explorations! New Parent Toddler (12 mos. - 3 years +) Classes added! Join our early childhood classes and reap the benefits of play! Recent child developmental research shows that young children learn best through play. Our 75 minute class offers movement, music, arts, sand and water play, trains, blocks and much more! New Classes now being offered. Advance registration required. Visit http://www.smartlovetoddler.org Music, Art and Play - Tuesdays 9:15-10:30 a.m. Music, Art and Play - Tuesdays 10:45-12 p.m. waitlist until Nov. Movement, Art and Play - Wednesdays 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. waitlist until Nov. Music, Art and Play - Thursdays 9:15-10:30 a.m. Music, Art and Play - Thursdays 10:45-12p.m. waitlist until Nov Music, Art and Play - Saturdays 9:45-11:00 a.m. Details: Smart Love Toddler Explorations! 800 West Buena Avenue Chicago, IL 60613 Questions? Call 773.665.8052 or email contact@smartlovepreschool.org Infant siblings 12 months and under free. Siblings one year and older receive a 50% discount! Registration includes Smart Love publication and complimentary admission to our child development seminars. Conveniently located off Lake Shore Drive and Irving Park Road. Street Parking. Click here for child development seminars

Smart Love Family Services welcomes new trainees into clinical training program This Fall, we have also launched a new clinical training program in Smart Love, led by Dr. Sara Johnson, Ph.D., LCSW. We are pleased to welcome three psychology trainees: Dr. Danielle Principato, Psy.D. as a post doctoral fellow, Michael Zakalik, MS, who is completing his pre-doctoral internship with us and Crystal Wildes, who is an advanced practicum student. In January, we will begin working to extend training opportunities to the field of Social Work.



Smart Love Preschool Is your child ready for preschool, but was not old enough on September 1st? We offer open enrollment. Children can begin school as soon as they turn three. Smart Love Preschool, opening this Fall offers 3, 4, and 5-year-olds 5-day-a-week morning or afternoon sessions. The preschool features a dedicated children’s library located in a beautiful historic mansion and a fully enclosed outdoor space for active outdoor time as well as a school garden. Our address is 800 W. Buena Avenue, a tree-lined street conveniently located off Irving Park Road and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. The curriculum is play-based and designed to stimulate children’s intellectual creativity while developing their social and emotional health. Current research shows that a play-based curriculum preserves and nurtures children’s inborn enthusiasm for learning and discovery! Lay the foundation for your child’s long-term school success at Smart Love Preschool. We welcome and encourage parent involvement in our school. We also offer child development programming to enrich and optimize family life. Want to know more? If you would like to schedule a private tour, contact admissions@smartlovepreschool.org or call Melissa Boshans, M.Ed. Smart Love Preschool Director at 773.665.8052 ext. 21 Visit us online!		Smart Love Child Development Seminars Fall 2010 October 14 Discipline Redefined Oak Park Tired of ineffective timeouts or advice that is too harsh or permissive? Fund out about a loving and effective approach called Loving Regulation, based on the latest child development research. October 20 The Real Deal on Self-Esteem Chicago Learn how to effectively manage children’s behavior to build in them genuine and lasting inner happiness. We will discuss how to foster children’s self-esteem and safeguard it when things go wrong. $30 pp/couple. Advanced Registration Required. Register today at www.smartlovefamily.org All seminars are co-sponsored by The Intrapsychic Humanism Society. Professional credits offered for DCFS Licensed Daycares, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Teacher and EI Providers (EI through Illinoiseitraining.org).

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Parenting Questions - Smart Love Answers

My Son is Scared of School

Q: My five-year-old is starting kindergarten this fall. Previously he was in preschool for a few hours a week, but the kindergarten is all-day. When we try to talk to him about how much fun he will have in his new school he doesn't want to talk about it. Sometimes he walks out of the room or puts his hands over his ears. We also notice that he is having many more nightmares than usual and seems very easily upset during the day. We wonder if these behaviors are related to his starting school, and if so what can we do to help him since he doesn't seem to want to talk about it?

You are correct. Your son's behavior is related to his worries about starting kindergarten. The problem is that you are trying to talk your son into looking forward to starting school by telling him how much fun he will have, rather than trying to find out what is worrying him. As a result, he feels he is doing something wrong when he can't adopt your positive attitude. So he wants to avoid all discussion of the situation.

We suggest that you change course. Tell him you recognize he has concerns about going to kindergarten and that this is normal- many children worry about starting a new school. Add that worries can be expressed in bad dreams and upset feelings. If you show your son that you are comfortable with the notion that he may be dreading school, he will probably feel more comfortable discussing his concerns. It might help to ask the librarian at your local library to suggest age-appropriate books about children who image that school will be unpleasant.

Once your son opens up and tells you what he fears, be careful not to contradict him ("We've met the teacher and she is very nice." or "That's silly, of course the other children will like you.") Rather, let him know how great it is that he is communicating his fears and that if anything does go wrong at school he can come right home and tell you and you will help him figure out a way to handle the problem. Fears don't go away because someone tells you not to worry - what is reassuring is to know that if what you dread happens, you have someone to turn to who can help you. Once school starts, leave some quiet time every day - perhaps when you are putting your son to bed - to ask him how his day went. Make sure you give him an opportunity to tell you about the bad as well as the good.

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Parenting Questions-Smart Love Answers

The Smart Love approach to parenting was developed by Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D., and William J. Pieper, M.D., and is described in their book, Smart Love: The Compassionate Alternative to Discipline That Will Make You a Better Parent and Your Child a Better Person, (Harvard Common Press, 1999). Also published under the title, The Smart Love Parent: The Compassionate Alternative to Discipline, (Innova Publishing).