UIC Urban Youth Trauma Center

01/05/2026

The return to school after Christmas can feel heavier than other transitions.
Weeks of connection, slower mornings, flexible routines and togetherness suddenly give way to separation, noise, structure and expectation.

If your child is showing more tears, worries, meltdowns or resistance right now, it isn’t a step backwards.
It’s a nervous system recalibrating from safety and connection back into demand.

You’re not doing anything wrong — and neither are they.

We’re sharing posts to help children transition back to school after the Christmas break.
Explore our recent posts and access our free downloadable resources to support regulation, reassurance and smoother mornings.

01/05/2026

A helpful analogy!

Ever noticed how a child can “hold it together” all day… then explode at home? It is also relevant for us as adults.

This is one of my favourite ways to explain why that happens — and it’s simple enough to do with a real Coke bottle.

Sit with your child and pass the bottle back and forth.
As you talk about their day, gently shake it each time a stress or trigger comes up. Share your own triggers also.
Noise. Work pressure. Friendship stuff. Trying to behave. Trying not to cry.

Then pause and ask:
“What do you think will happen if I take the top off now?”

That moment matters.

It helps children see that the explosion isn’t about being naughty or out of control — it’s about pressure building with nowhere to go.

From there, you can explore the real question:
How do we take the lid off without an explosion?

We talk about letting the bottle settle first.
Deep breathing.
Quiet time.
Food.
Movement.
Connection.
Time to decompress.

Regulation isn’t about forcing calm.
It’s about releasing pressure safely — a little at a time.

👉 You can find The Coke Bottle Activity linked in the comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

I’d love to know — what “shakes the bottle” most for your child after school?

12/10/2025

The can be a particularly difficult time for those experiencing grief. A call, text, or check-in can help someone who feels alone. For anyone feeling emotional distress, the is available to talk. Call or text 988 or chat online 988lifeline.org

12/10/2025

During a traumatic event, anything associated with the experience may become linked in our brains to the trauma. This can include sounds, smells, situations, feelings, or people that become and/or loss reminders. Download our new infographic here: https://bit.ly/4pSl9vt

10/28/2025

https://t.e2ma.net/message/84k4eg/csh4ndqd

10/22/2025

https://t.e2ma.net/message/kqt9gk/ski7h05d

10/05/2025

https://today.uic.edu/podcast/rhythms-of-resilience-with-jaleel-abdul-adil-how-does-music-support-mental-health-and-trauma-recovery/

In this episode, Grace Khachaturian sits down with Jaleel Abdul-Adil, co-director of the Urban Youth Trauma Center, professor of clinical psychology in the College of Medicine and founder of Hip-Hop H.E.A.L.S! — a trauma-informed prevention and intervention program that uses rap and hip-hop cultur...

07/31/2025

Join us this Friday at the Maxwell street garden as we facilitate this weeks Friday night social!☀️🍓✨🎉

06/17/2025

Next Monday June 23rd, the Attachment & Trauma Network, Inc. (ATN) will be hosting the virtual event, "Building Resilient Communities for Children Conference 2025," including the opening keynote by Dr. Bruce Perry.

06/16/2025

https://www.msn.com/en-us/family-and-relationships/parenting/here-s-the-origin-story-of-father-s-day-the-yearly-celebration-of-dads/ar-AA1GKLx0?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Today is Father's Day and families and loved ones are honoring the special man in their lives with gadgets, tools or an outpouring of love. Here's what to know about Father's Day. What is the origin of Father's Day? The history of Father's Day dates back to July 5, 1908, when a church in West Virgin...

06/13/2025

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/1-000-boys-and-young-men-of-color-expected-to-take-part-in-brilliance-and-excellence-march-against-violence/ar-AA1GCGVU?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=db8467aea73543b7ab8589d6965feef2&ei=66

The purpose is to promote antiviolence strategies and resources for the community.

06/06/2025

Blessed 'Eid al-Adhaa greetings to our Muslim youth, families, and partners!