The Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development at the University of Montana has developed the following podcasts featuring experienced professionals who provide information and suggestions for working with children and families. This on the go learning is a great way to hear tips and information from professionals across the state of Montana. The wide range of topics covered provide perspectives from different agencies working to improve the lives of children, youth, and famili ...

Your healthy relationship with your six-year-old is essential to their development. Through relationships, your child develops a sense of belonging. They come to better understand themselves through their interactions with you, their teachers, and their peers. Now is the right time for parents and those in a parenting role to continue to grow a positive relationship with their child. Parenting is so important and each day presents new excitement and challenges. The tools offered in this podc ...

Ten years old -- already a decade of life! Engaging and connecting with your ten-year-old now will make a huge difference in how well they are able to navigate the next decade of their life. Children are more likely to learn how to manage their own behaviors, solve problems, and make responsible decisions when they are intentionally engaged. Now is the right time for parents and those in a parenting role to support their child in growing confidence, respect, and the ability to make healthy c ...

Your five-year-old is growing so fast and is demonstrating more independence each day. They may no longer look like a toddler, yet they still need your support just as much as they did when they were smaller. Your child needs to practice and build their skills in listening, empathy, communication, and problem solving in order to thrive in school and in life. Now is the right time for parents and those in a parenting role to continue to cultivate a trusting relationship with their child in or ...

Your nine-year-old is growing fast and is busy with friends and school. Supporting your child as they develop healthy skills, routines, and relationships is essential for their continued positive growth. As a parent or someone in a parenting role, you can choose purposeful ways to interact with your nine-year-old that build a strong relationship while developing their social and emotional skills. Now is the right time to support your child in growing their confidence, respect, and the abilit ...

Your eleven-year-old may have mixed emotions about their middle school years, and they will enjoy many highs as well as endure some lows. Proactively engaging and connecting with your child/teen today will make a huge impact on how well they are able to navigate the exciting years ahead. Children/teens are better able to learn how to manage their own behaviors, solve problems, and make responsible decisions when they are intentionally engaged. Now is the right time for parents and those in a ...

You have already been a parent or in a parenting role for one year! The experiences your one-year-old shares with you are essential for developing a healthy brain, growing curiosity skills, learning about language and emotions, and strengthening their relationship with you. For parents and those in a parenting role, now is the right time to continue building a healthy parent-child relationship with your one-year-old. There are many small things you can do right now to make a difference in yo ...

As a parent or someone in a parenting role, you can choose to be purposeful and deliberate in ways you engage with your eight-year-old that build a healthy relationship while developing their social and emotional skills. Although your eight-year-old is growing more and more independent, they still look to you just as much as ever to navigate life. Now is the right time to support your child in growing confidence, respect, and their ability to make healthy choices. This podcast shares a paren ...