Parent Education
No matter what your child's age or stage of development, you can increase your knowledge, skills and confidence in parenting!
Helpful Apps (FREE):
Bright By Text - Bright by Text is for anyone who cares for and loves a child, prenatally through age 8: parents, parents-to-be, grandparents, babysitters, aunties, uncles, neighbors, friends, teachers, and more.
Healthy Children Texting Program - HealthyChildren.org Ages & Stages texting program! Click the link, fill out the basic information form to start getting helpful tips and resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) experts right to your phone. It's like having a pediatrician in your pocket!
Milestone Tracker - Track your child’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s easy-to-use illustrated checklists; get tips from CDC for encouraging your child’s development; and find out what to do if you are ever concerned about how your child is developing.
Check out these local resources to find both virtual and in-person learning opportunities:
The Basics HR - The Hampton Roads Basics are five fun, simple and powerful ways that every family can give every child a great start in life.
Catholic Charities- Single session family education classes on cooperative parenting are offered in Virginia Beach. (Court approved).
ChildSavers - ChildSavers guides Virginia's children through life’s critical moments with trauma-informed mental health and child development services.
Child Development Resources- Breastfeeding and newborn education and support in the Newport News and Williamsburg area.
Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters- From Welcome Baby! to Dads in Action, CHKD parenting classes are offered in Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach and online!
Fleet and Family Support Centers - Offered throughout Hampton Roads to families of active duty military personnel. Military Life Skill classes cover newborn, dual military and fatherhood parenting among many other topics.
Hampton Healthy Families - Helping Hampton parents from birth to age 4, classes offer support to new parents. By sharing personal experiences and incorporating current research, parents can gain insight on early development and how to relate and effectively communicate with their babies. (Court approved)
Kids, Kin 'N Caregivers, Inc - promotes health and well-being through a broad range of services to kinship families (grandparents raising grandchildren and relatives caring for another relative’s child) and family caregivers.
Mediation Center of Hampton Roads- Located in Norfolk, the center offers a seminar in developing an effective coparenting relationship. The class is court approved but can also help any couple dealing with parenting issues after separation or divorce.
Newport News Parenting Education Series - Classes offered cover parenting from birth through the teen years for residents of Newport News. Court approved co-parenting classes are also available.
The Up Center - Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs (Parents As Teachers and Healthy Families) increase children’s school readiness and success by improving parenting practices, increasing parent knowledge of early childhood development, screening children for development and health issues, and linking families to community resources. Dad 2 Dads Program offers safe spaces for Fathers and Father figures to develop their critical role within the family unit by providing community-based support to navigate systems and resources, and to address overall wellness that impacts family functioning.
The Up Center - At various locations, For Children’s Sake seminars provide parents with skills to shield their children from the conflict of separation or divorce. This court approved course is also open to all other parents undergoing separation or divorce procedures.
Other Resources:
American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting Website - learn about developmental milestones and how to build a healthy body and brain from day one.
Pathway Through Pregnancy - A step by step guide to preparing for a healthy pregnancy with available supports to address obstacles that might arise.
Support for Parents and Pregnant Families - Helping families access parenting support programs that fit their needs based on city, age of child and any developmental or health issues.
Court Approved Parent Education - Complete listing of co-parenting education programs throughout Virginia.