Bagels and Babies

Feeling like you’ve been thrown into parenthood without a safety net! You are not alone. Come meet other new parents over coffee and bagels who’ve found themselves in the same situation. Socialize, discuss how parenthood has affected you, show off your little one, get connected and make new friends. Program is free and meets monthly on Sundays.

I Can Read!

Is your child having a hard time picking up the basics of reading? Private tutoring for your child in reading is now available through the Parenting Center. Lisa Shutan holds a Masters in Education and Reading and has taught remedial reading for the North Chicago Public School district.

Infant/Child CPR

Learn CPR techniques for your infant/child.
BWJCC (offered through our Fitness Dept.)
LCJCC (offered through our Parenting Center

Lunch Sibs

Lunch time is fun time as your children prepare easy, simple and delicious lunches for themselves (with a little help from mom.) Of course, the best part is eating the fruits of their labor.

Music with Aimee

Music w/ Aimee is the 'next step' for infants who are beginning to explore their surroundings by crawling and walking. Together with a parent or caregiver, children enjoy the music and movement activities of Infant's Hour with some added fun! Jewish learning is expanded upon throughstories and picture books. A snack is included.

Open Gym

A free service for our Great Beginnings program participants. Contact sites for day and time.

Park Bench

Need answers to your specific questions? Discussions led by experts from the Pathways Center, JCC Services, local and area professionals will answer your questions while your toddler plays in the nearby play area. Tamper tantrums; nap & bedtime issues; hitting & biting; separation; and setting limits are just a few of the topics. Discussions are free but pre-registration is necessary due to limited space. Look under Adult/Child Classes for listing of specific topic, date and time.

Play Date at the ‘J’

Looking for somewhere to take your children to let off a little energy? Just cleaned the house and want to keep it that way? Bring them to a Play Date at the ‘J.’ Large room allows children unstructured time with toys, crayons, markers, and play kitchen on one side of the room while the other side offers gym equipment for those who need to use those muscles! Lots of friends, lots of fun, and no mess to clean when you’re done! Buy a punch card and come to any of the Play Date times listed under Adult/Child classes. First visit is free.

Pre- & Post-Natal Exercise

Great way to trim down, stay healthy and meet new friends.

Pre-Natal Zumba

Dance your way to fitness and fun during your pregnancy to the sounds of a Latin beat. All dancers and two-left-footers welcomed. No experience necessary!

Shalom Chaverim

Shabbat comes alive for you and your child in this preschool experience through art, music, stories and free play. Learn b’ruchas and light candles as we celebrate Shabbat each week! Challah and juice will be served.

Sibs Story Station

Each week you and your child explore a different favorite children’s story. Stories are used as springboards to art, dramatic play and large motor activities to further enhance your child’s comprehension and enjoyment of the story.

SigningwithDawn™

Second guessing your child’s needs or wants can lead to frustration on both sides. Instructor Dawn Carlino, certified in the use of the Sign2Me® method of baby signing, helps take that frustration away. Skilled in American Sign Language, Dawn, a teacher for more then 15 years, makes communicating with your pre-verbal infant/toddler fun and easy

StrollerFit®

StrollerFit® is a fun, interactive, pre- and post-natal stroller fitness program that turns your stroller into a portable fitness machine. In just 50 minutes, you will get a great TOTAL body workout while bonding with your baby and making new friends. StrollerFit is appropriate for babies ages 6 weeks–5 years.

StrollerFit®

Restore the core™ enables moms of all ages to regain the energy and stamina they need to meet the physical rigors of motherhood. restore the core™ works whether your baby is 6 weeks or 30 years old! The objective of this 50 minute mat-based class is to restore the strength of a woman’s abdominal wall and pelvic floor by reversing the postural changes caused by pregnancy. restore the core™ is appropriate for babies ages infant to crawling.

Tot Shabbat

Shabbat comes alive for you and your child in this preschool experience through art, music, stories and free play. Learn b’ruchas and light candles as we celebrate Shabbat each week! Challah and juice will be served.

You & Me

A first introduction to a preschool setting, you and your child will enjoy art, music, stories and free play that are specially designed to stimulate and enhance your child’s development.

Great Beginnings™

Great Beginnings™ classes have been encouraging children's development though hands-on interactive learning for over 25 years. The North Shore's best music and movement program is expanding and is now being offered in Chicago for the first time. Parents and children share, explore and socialize in a safe, developmentally appropriate classroom under the guidance of caring, involved instructors. While children gain skills, moms meet new friends!

Infant's Hour

Infant’s Hour is a special time for parents or caregivers to interact with their children through music and movement. Infants will have an important opportunity to gain awareness of other children while adults make new friends! Jewish learning is also introduced through song.

Shabbat Beginnings™

Shabbat comes alive for you and your toddler through songs and stories! This is our popular Great Beginnings program with a Jewish twist. Interactive curriculum will increase your child’s exposure to Shabbat and other Jewish holidays. Challah and juice will be served.

You & Me Beginnings

If you enjoyed Great Beginnings, you’ll love this ‘next step’ class. We keep all the music and props of Great Beginnings and add explorative art, toys and books. An exciting journey for you and your toddler!

Swellbeing®

Need order restored to your once Zen existence? You’ve come to the right place. From breast feeding to baby blues, sleep issues to infant prep, Swellbeing offers a range of individual consultations, discussion groups and workshops that target virtually every possible parenting problem. The secret to Swellbeing’s successful solutions? Simple strategies followed by the support you need to see them through.

Swellbeing® Infant Massage

You’re never too young for a rub down! Research shows newborn massage strengthens the parent-baby bond, increases infants’ blood flow, enhances baby’s immune system, improves his/her sleep and promotes rest, relaxation, digestion, weight gain, and elimination, plus it makes them feel oh-so good. Bring your baby and a blanket.

Swellbeing® Smart Sleep Seminar

Interested in learning more about infant and toddler sleep? From eliminating night wakings to naps, this workshop will cover it all—and includes time reserved for asking questions and receiving feedback about your specific sleep situation.

Swellbeing® Sibling Prep

Another baby on the way can bring up a range on conflicting emotions in the soon-to-be big brother or sister. Get your children’s relationship off to a great start with this workshop designed to help nip sibling rivalry in the bud. Time is spent teaching your child(ren) appropriate interaction with the new baby and also sharing tips with parents on how to prepare for the adjustment period with the older child(ren).

Swellbeing® Emotion Coaching and Your Child

In this seminar you will learn about emotion coaching and your role as a parent in raising an emotionally intelligent child. Emotion coaching is helping children understand the different emotions they experience, why they occur and how to handle them. In the simplest terms, you can coach your children about emotions by comforting them, listening and understanding their thoughts and feelings, and helping them understand themselves. As you do this your children will feel loved, supported, respected and valued. With this emotionally supportive foundation, you will be much more successful at setting limits and problem solving.

Swellbeing® Toddler Toilet Training

Done with the diapers? Let us help you devise a reasonable and practical strategy for toilet training your toddler—and help you put it into practice. In no time you’ll be saying bye-bye pull-ups, hello potty.

For more information...

Contact the Parenting Center at 773.935.6310 or request info.