Chicago Preschooler Parenting Support

By Christine Escobar

It's always nice to know you're not alone. Parents of preschoolers face many trying moments and having the help and support of other parents who've been there can help in immeasurable ways. There are several parenting support organizations in the Chicago area. These groups can be a source for making new friends (for yourself and your child), a place to air your concerns or thoughts or a guide for helping parents of preschoolers learn more about preschooler disclipline, behavior, and development. Some even have special events and classes for preschool children.

 

Parenthesis
Since 1980, Parenthesis, a non-profit organization serving the west side of Chicago and nearby suburbs of Oak Park and River Forest, has offered parenting education and support programs for parents and their young children. Parenthesis staff work in partnership with all family members: parents, relatives, children, and teens and collaborate with other professionals to support stable and healthy families. All families can participate in Parenthesis programs, regardless of ability to pay.

Services and classes include a morning drop in for parents while children play in developmentally appropriate childcare on site. There are in home services for individual counseling, parent education and case management. In addition, specific programs are available for teen parents and single parents. Parenthesis is now offering parent/child music, art and creative movement classes.

Step by Step Early Childhood PTA
A volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 1992 to provide education and activities for families with young children from newborn to age 6. Step by Step is affiliated with the Illinois and National PTA, but not affiliated with any one particular preschool. Members come mainly from towns in the western suburbs of Chicago including Carol Stream, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, West Chicago, Glendale Heights, Wheaton, St. Charles and Geneva.

Activities and programs include: A monthly newsletter, group fieldtrips, parent and child education programs, playgroups, Mom's & Dad's nights out and family parties. Each fall and spring, Step by Step hosts a very large children’s clothing and equipment resale at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.

PACES
Started in 1972, PACES (Parent and Child Education and Support) is a not for profit parenting support group centered on the philosophy that there is "no one right way to parent." It is divided into 5 regional subgroups that meet on the northwest side of Chicago and in the suburbs.

Meetings alternate evening and day hours. PACES seminars and workshops cover child development, behavior, discipline and promoting self esteem in your child from birth through age 5. Special sessions focus on Adoptive Parents, Working Mothers, Stay At Home Mothers and Siblings. Six week workshops are also offered based on the popular parenting books, “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk” and “Siblings Without Rivalry” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.

Smart Love Parenting Center
Smart Love parenting programs are based on the parenting strategies developed by Martha Heineman Pieper Ph.D and William J. Pieper, M.D. The Piepers, who live in Chicago, are the parents of five children, and emphasize methods of managing behavior and nurturing children that are compassionate and kind rather than negative and authoritarian. Learning about what to expect at each stage of a child's emotional development is stressed from birth through adolescence.

Techniques are taught on how to practice the most growth-promoting ways to raise children. The center, based in Chicago, offers parent education seminars, one-on-one parent coaching services, 4-week child development courses, and parenting discussion groups based on your child's age.  Programs are offered in the city and suburbs.