Michigan State University Extension
Child and Family Development April Offerings
MSU Extension has a wide range of free online classes for parents and caregivers of children of all ages and early childhood professionals. See below for their April offerings!
Extension Extras For Parents
These free online parenting workshops will provide guidance for parents of children as they navigate the challenges, concerns, and joys of parenting. Participants may register for as few or as many workshops as they wish. The workshops are on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00PM ET as follows:
Class dates:
May 5: Reducing Challenging Behaviors in Toddlers
May 12: Childhood Anxiety and Depression
May 19: Purpose of Play
May 26: Let's Talk: Parent/Provider Communication
Class Times: 7:30PM to 9:00PM
Registration : https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_niFCQDzYRKGCnu3qCa5vmw
Parenting Series
Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting
Are you wondering how to gain greater cooperation from your children? Struggling with chores or routines? Not sure how to handle discipline issues? Join us for this five-week parenting education series for parents with children of all ages will explore developing routines, emotional control, rules, and relationships, and being a calm, assertive parent. Certificates of attendance are available.
- Class Dates: Wednesdays, May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10
- Class Times: 11:30am-1:00pm ET
- Registration : https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bOUJg8zZGkm98AC
The Parent Talk System
Do you feel like the children in your care aren’t listening to you? Do you find yourself constantly repeating yourself trying to gain compliance? This 6-week series is for parents and caregivers of children of all ages and is designed to improve communication and provide practical verbal strategies for raising confident, caring, responsible children. Topics include eliminating unwanted behavior, setting limits, teaching about consequences, giving effective feedback, promoting independence, and developing character. Certificates of attendance are available.
- Class dates: Thursdays, May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18
- Class times: 11:30am-1:00pm ET
- Registration : https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ SV_1XLbxFQ7NqMF1GK
Extension Extras for Professionals: Early Childhood Professional Development Classes
These free online workshops provide professional development training hours for early childhood professionals. These classes are eligible for MIRegistry Credit!(See more offerings for professionals at the end of the note)
Title: Let's Talk: Parent and Provider Communication
- Class Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
- Class Time: 7:00PM to 8:30PM
- Registration : https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oL8sk1-dRA-uKvpC-VLLSA
Title: Positive Discipline
- Class Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
- Class Time: 1:00PM to 2:30PM
- Registration : https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_a2ggJI6-QKuy3RvSzGydpQ
Attached is a flyer for this workshop.
For more information contact Courtney Aldrich, aldric82@msu.edu
Online Self-Paced Classes
These free online classes can be completed on your own at your own pace.
Positive Discipline: Helping young children learn self-control is important to their ability to be successful citizens now and in the future. Positive Discipline workshops help adults learn how their role in creating appropriate environments and experiences can strengthen that development. This class has a “parent and caregiver” track and a “professional” track. Certificates of attendance are available for all who take the class and professional development training hours are available for early childhood professionals. Credit in the MiRegistry system is available.
Registration: https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/positive-discipline-online-course
For more information contact Courtney Aldrich at aldric82@msu.edu
Infant Safety
MSU Extension has partnered with the Livingston County Child Abuse Prevention Council to create a self-directed online infant safety course called “Sleeping, Crying, Driving.” This three part course contains videos and interactive content on infant safe sleep, how to handle extended infant crying and guidelines for transporting your child safely. A certificate of completion and MIRegistry credit is available for those who need proof of attendance.
Registration: https://www.canr.msu.edu/early_childhood_development/infant-safety/
MI Parenting Resource
This free, online program is meant to support caregivers across the state in strengthening their parent-child relationships and gaining new tools for enhancing positive child behaviors.
Registration: https://miparentingresource.org/
