Positive Parenting

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Albany County offers parenting education for parents/caregivers of babies – teens. These programs are open to the public and free to attend.  Current program offerings:

Magic Years Flyer | April/May 2025

Middle Years Flyer | April/May 2025

The Tween/Teen Years Flyer | April-May 2025

Workshops can also be requested by community partners as a standalone program/training or combined for a series. Workshops can be delivered virtually or in-person. To receive more information or schedule a workshop, contact Maria DeLucia-Evans, Human Ecology Resource Educator II, at 518.765.3559 or mkd59@cornell.edu.

Raising Healthy Kids in a Digital World
Let’s discuss how we can better help our kids find balance with media and tech use. We’ll explore the importance of media literacy and how we can raise our kids to be critical thinkers as they consume media. We’ll share how to keep our kids safe online and how to use media to create meaningful connections within our families. Learn about Cornell’s Social Media Test Drive tool and how to create a social media contract with your kids. (This program can be customized for parents/caregivers of children ages 5 -10 or tweens/teens.)

Improving Family Communication
Developing healthy, trusting communication can be a challenge for any family. Join us to learn how to get your kids talking and keep the conversation going. We will discuss positive communication strategies that help kids open-up and reduce family conflict. Learn strategies and practical ways to develop stronger family connections that make the tougher parts of parenting and discipline easier and more rewarding. (This program can be customized for parents/caregivers of children ages 5 -10 or tweens/teens.)

Nurturing Routines for Kids
A nurturing routine is a consistent way of doing things that helps a child develop a positive self-concept and self-esteem. Routines help provide a sense of security, build trust, and improve child behavior. In this workshop, we’ll explore easy ways to create nurturing routines for kids around different parts of the day, including morning, afternoon/after school, mealtime, evening and bedtime. Let’s discuss how to create a safe and calm home environment that helps kids thrive while connecting with them through activities, specific praise, and gentle touch. We will also share and discover ways to celebrate, create and develop special family rituals.

Positive Discipline Strategies
Positive discipline strategies and tools can be used to help raise responsible, independent youth. Let’s talk about the difference between punishment and discipline and better understand the danger and harm of emotional and physical punishments. Learn how to use positive discipline tools, including natural and logical consequences, that focus on positive expectations around behaviors. Tools can be customized for toddlers/preschoolers though teenagers, depending on the audience. Let’s learn how to make discipline firm, but loving and supportive.

School Year Success
Once kids start school, being involved in their education is key. Join us to learn the many ways to be an involved parent/caregiver and appropriately support your youth on their journey. For parents/caregivers of elementary – high school, let’s talk about how to monitor your child’s progress, set them up for success at home and school, make the most out of parent-teacher conferences, and effectively communicate with teachers and school personnel. We’ll share strategies on emphasizing the importance of school attendance, homework, and good study habits. Join us to help your kids have the best school year yet!

Parenting in Times of Stress: Raising Resilient Youth
Life’s unpredictability can create parenting challenges as we strive to raise healthy children. Join us to discuss strategies that can help parents/caregivers manage the impact of stressful events on youth of all ages and families. We will discuss the importance of stress management for parents/caregivers, how we see stress manifest in children and teens, and how to develop positive coping skills. We will also share strategies to help youth better manage school year stresses, understand the power of purpose and gratitude, and develop resilience, self-respect, and a positive self-image—their armor against the challenges of the world. (This program can be customized for parents/caregivers of children ages 5 -10 or tweens/teens.)

The Magic Years
The Magic Years is a five-part, six-hour, researched-based parent education program for parents/caregivers of children from birth – 4-years-old. This series is offered quarterly via Zoom. To register please contact Maria at mkd59@cornell.edu.

Topics include strategies on how to manage parent and child stress, understand the stages of child development, and how to best support these stages. We will discuss how to set up (or better manage) routines surrounding bedtime, bathing, family meals and toilet training. We will also better understand parenting responsibilities, styles, and learn strategies for positive discipline tools that really work. Join us to discuss parenting strategies that are positive, supportive, and provide you with valuable information on best practices for you and your children.

The Middle Years
The Middle Years is a five-part, six-hour, researched-based parent education program for parents/caregivers of children ages 5 – 10. This series is offered quarterly via Zoom. To register please contact Maria at mkd59@cornell.edu.

This researched-based parenting program helps parents/caregivers with children from ages 5 – 10 enhance their parenting skills. This program will assist participants, who are experts on their families, in developing a deeper understanding of how their personal and parenting knowledge and behavior affects their children. Topics include managing parent and child stress, understanding parenting styles, raising responsible children, improving family communication and strengthening family relationships. This program will also include helpful family activities, and activities for parents/caregivers to share with their youth.

The Tween/Teen Years
The Tween/Teen Years is a five-part, six-hour, researched-based parent education program for parents/caregivers of children ages 11 – 18. This series is offered quarterly via Zoom. To register please contact Maria at mkd59@cornell.edu.

This researched-based parenting education program provides parents/caregivers with best practices for parenting children ages 11 – 18. This program will assist participants, who are experts on their families, in developing a deeper understanding of how their personal and parenting knowledge and behavior affects their children. Topics will include, understanding parenting styles and tween and teen development, how to improve family communication, and create a better understanding of tween and teen challenges. We will also discuss discipline strategies and managing parent and child stress. This program will also include helpful family activities, and activities for parents/caregivers to share with their youth.

Strengthening Families Program
This is an interactive program for parents/caregivers and youth to celebrate family strengths through fun activities. Participating parents/caregivers and youth will learn and practice strategies for successful family communication, reaffirm what youth and adults need from each other, and discover the power of compliments and positive communication. The Strengthening Families Program strives to empower families. We celebrate family strengths, improve communication skills, and provide support to both youth and parents/caregivers. This program can be offered as a standalone workshop or in a series.

Additional topics may include:
• Reduce conflict and discuss family problems,
• Develop family rules and expectations,
• Practice gratitude and stress management,
• Create vision boards to explore interests and future goals
• Family cooking night
• Family STEAM night
(This program can be customized to target parents/caregivers with children ages 5 - 10 or tweens/teens.)

Last updated March 11, 2025