MSU Extension Offers Free Online Classes for Parents and Early Childhood Professionals
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is offering a variety of free online classes designed to support parents, caregivers, and early childhood professionals. These classes aim to provide valuable insights and strategies for addressing common parenting challenges and professional development opportunities in early childhood education.
If you are interested in these offerings, you can reach out to your local Extension office or find a Child and Family Development team member near you. Stay updated by following their Facebook page at MI Stronger Family – MSU Extension.
Extension Extra’s Parenting Hour
Join these free online parenting workshops to gain guidance as you navigate the complexities of parenting. The workshops are held on Tuesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:30 PM ET, and you can choose to attend any or all sessions:
- 1/07/2025: RELAX: Alternatives to Anger for Parents and Caregivers
- 1/14/2025: How soon is too soon? When to teach your children money habits for life!
- 1/21/2025: Positive Discipline
- 1/28/2025: Potty Training Pointers
Register for these workshops here.
Kinship Caregiver Classes
These workshops are specifically targeted towards relatives caring for another family member’s children. The upcoming session is:
- 1/8/2025: Talking With Kids About Race
Class Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Register here. For more information, contact Courtney Aldrich at [email protected].
Parenting Series
The Parent Talk System is a 6-week series focused on improving communication with children, providing strategies to foster responsible and confident kids. The series covers topics such as setting limits and teaching about consequences. Certificates of attendance and MIRegistry Credit are available.
Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting offers a five-week exploration into developing routines and managing discipline issues. Certificates of attendance and MIRegistry Credit are available.
Building Early Emotional Skills (BEES) is a four-week class for caregivers of children aged 0-3, focusing on social-emotional skill development. Participants will learn about temperament, stress management, and emotion coaching. Certificates and MIRegistry Credit are provided.
Early Childhood Professional Development Classes
These free online classes offer professional development training hours and are eligible for MIRegistry Credit.
- Positive Discipline
- How Children Develop
Contact Vivian Washington for more information at [email protected].
In-Person Workshop: Including All of Us is a six-hour program focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in early childhood education. Participants will engage in self-reflection and learn to incorporate anti-bias education. Schedule a workshop by contacting Vivian Washington.
Online Self-Paced Classes
Complete these free online classes at your own pace:
Positive Discipline: Learn how to create environments that promote self-control in children. This class has separate tracks for parents/caregivers and professionals. MIRegistry Credit is available.
Infant Safety: A partnership with the Livingston County Child Abuse Prevention Council offers a course on infant safety, including safe sleep and handling extended crying. Certificates and MIRegistry Credit are available.
MI Parenting Resource: This online program supports caregivers in enhancing parent-child relationships and promoting positive behaviors.
Additional Resources
MSU Extension collaborates with other states’ Cooperative Extensions to provide more resources. Check out Fit and Healthy Kids at https://fitandhealthykids.unl.edu/.
The Importance of Sensory Play: Enhance children’s sensory experiences through play. This class is eligible for MIRegistry Credit, and attendees can access either the live session or a recording. Instructors Lisa Poppe and LaDonna Werth from the University of Nebraska Extension lead this session.
Date and Time: January 13, 2025, 7:00-8:00 PM CT (8-9 PM ET). Registration: https://fitandhealthykids.unl.edu/one-hour-once-month-webinars.
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