Parenting Resources
Developmental Assets
Developmental Assets® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people.
To learn more about the 40 Developmental Assets and get ideas for helping young people build them, visit www.search-institute.org/assets. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. All rights reserved.
Here are the weekly assets in one-page format to print and discuss with your family.
One: The Hopeful Message
Understanding Developmental Assets, and tips for building assets.
Two: External Assets
Facts about External Assets, and tips for building these assets.
Three: Support Category
Facts about the Support category, and tips for building these assets.
Resources About Young Children, Teens, and General Resources
♦ Resources for Parents of Young Children
Early Childhood Family Education
Eden Prairie Family Center • http://www.edenpr.k12.mn.us/famctr/
Eden Prairie Family Center offers early childhood family education classes for children from birth to age five. This program offers one day of parent/child class per week, as well as multi-day preschool programming that includes a one day per week parent education component. Family Center classes offer a safe, welcoming, educational environment for children and their parents or caregivers.
Infant and Toddler Development (multiple languages)
University of Minnesota, Irving B. Harris Training Center for Infant and Toddler Development • http://education.umn.edu/ceed/
A printable series of short, easy-to-read handouts with answers to important questions about infant and toddler development. A link to additional Web resources is included.
Infants, Toddlers and Families
For children birth age three • http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer
Zero to Three is a national non-profit, multidisciplinary organization that supports healthy development and well-being of infants, toddlers and their families. Their mission is carried out through a range of activities that inform, educate and support the adults who influence the lives of very young children. Information from this website is accessed by a free registration process. You can also register to receive email on topics that are the most relevant and useful to you.
♦ Resources for Parents of Teens
Health Services for Teens
West Suburban Teen Clinic (952) 474-3251 • http://www.westsuburbanteenclinic.org/
West Suburban Teen Clinic offers comprehensive, professional, and low-cost medical, mental health, and health education services to youth ages 12 to 23 in a nonjudgmental, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We also provide education and support for parents of adolescents and community members. Our service area includes western Hennepin, Carver and Scott Counties.
Teen Issues
University of Minnesota’s Teen Link • http://www.teenlink.umn.edu/
For educators, and other professionals, parents, teachers, youth and anyone working with adolescents or interested in adolescent development to obtain access to a variety of resources, both academic and practical, addressing teen issues
Teen Resources, Blog and Parenting Tips
Shoulder to Shoulder • http://www.shouldertoshoulderminnesota.org/
Shoulder to Shoulder is dedicated to making parenting teens easier by connecting parents and caregivers and sharing the insights of those who have been there before. Written resources and a Blog for parents of teens are available, as well as relevant research and parenting tips.
♦ General Parenting Topics (any age child)
Child Development and Other Parent Information
Parenting Today • http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/
This site has parenting information on child development, discipline, family life, teenagers, learning, health and safety and child psychology, as well as news for parents.
Child Health
American Academy of Pediatrics • http://www.aap.org/
The official Web site of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. On this website you will find general information related to child health as well as more specific guidelines concerning a pediatric issue.
Child Health and Development
Minnesota Department of Health, 651-201-3650, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call this free line if your child has problems or difficulties with development or if you are concerned about your child’s growth, learning or development.
General Resources
MinnesotaHelp.info • http://minnesotahelp.info/Public/browsetips.aspx
Information, in English and Spanish, on programs and services in your community to help with health care, child care, job training, education, recreation, retirement, disability and social services for yourself or other family members.
Health and Parenting
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics, Family Resource Center: links to reliable health and parenting information • http://www.childrensmn.org/web/frc/024934.asp
Recommended websites for current, research-based health and parenting information- including links to the Family Resource Center and Children’s Library online card catalogs, United Way 2-1-1 “First Call for Help” and guides to Internet searching.
♦ Media Effects on Children and Youth
National Institute on Media and the Family • http://www.mediafamily.org/
The National Institute on Media and the Family is the world’s leading and most respected research-based organization on the positive and harmful effects of media on children and youth. Their website offers access to information regarding media related topics such as: addiction, brain development, early childhood, health and safety, school success, and violence and disrespect.
Parenting Articles
Minnesota Parent • http://www.mnparent.com/
Feature articles, general parenting information and resources, and a calendar of local family events.
♦ Parent Education for Working Parents
Working Family Resource Center • http://www.workingfamilyresourcecenter.org/wfrc/en/index.asp
Classes and seminars for working parents. Information about the Resource Center’s lending library, online tip sheets, and child care information data base for the 10 county metro area and western Wisconsin.
Parenting Information, Organized by Age
Parents Know – State of Minnesota http://www.parentsknow.state.mn.us/
Parenting information, resources and activities to help your child grow, develop and learn from birth through high school.
Parents Buying a House for Their Children
http://www.mortgageloan.com/parents/
A comprehensive guide to housing and mortgages, to educate parents on options available to them to help their children purchase a home.
Parent Involvement in Schooling
Minnesota Parent Center • http://www.pacer.org/mpc/links.asp
The Minnesota Parent Center is a statewide project designed to help families and schools build stronger ties to benefit students. The Center provides parent involvement training opportunities, training for Title 1 schools, individual assistance, information handouts, and a “Parent Pages” newsletter on the website.
Parenting Tips
University of Minnesota Extension Service, “Info U” • http://www.extension.umn.edu/info-u
Sections for “Families” and “Babies” that offer a collection of tip sheets. This information is also available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (612) 624-2200 in the Metro area, or (800) 525-UofM (8636) in Greater Minnesota.
Parenting Topics
University of Minnesota Extension • http://www.extension.umn.edu/ParentEducation/onlinetools.html
The University of Minnesota Extension develops programs that foster the effective parenting of children and youth, with an emphasis on positive parenting for children birth to young adulthood, divorce issues, violence prevention, and other information to help understand the complex social issues facing families today. This website offers a wide variety of resources, including many publications, just for parents. All publications are research-based and thoroughly tested.
Person to Person Support
Parent Warmline 612.813.6336 (Twin Cities) or 1.866.916.4316 (Greater Minnesota) anytime, even on weekends.
Parent Warmline is a free telephone service sponsored by Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. The Warmline provides you with person-to-person support, practical advice and resources about parent-child relationships and the behavior and development of children from infants to teens. Leave your name, day and night phone numbers, your questions and a good time to reach you. A trusted parent educator will return your call to listen, support you, give information and suggest resources. You will receive individualized and confidential attention. Translators are available
Special Needs
PACER Center • http://www.pacer.org/
Information for families of children with special needs plus a link to the Minnesota Parent Center- a PACER project for parents of school-age children. Includes printable handouts on a broad range of school-related topics by grade level.
Telephone Referral
United Way telephone referral service Call 2-1-1 available 24/7 (Cell phone users can call 651.291.0211)
Minnesota 2-1-1 is a free service that connects you with community services in Minnesota including childcare, counseling, food, health, housing, legal help, mental health, transportation and youth services.
Telephone lines for English, Spanish, Hmong and Russian speaking parents are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For English, Spanish or Hmong, call 211 or 651-291-0211 (cell). Russian-speaking parents, call 651-698-9167.