ParentingMontana.org has information and tools for children at every age to address a variety of challenges.

Who speaks for kids when decisions about their education, health, and safety are being made? You do! Children need our collective attention and voice. You’ve found Speaking of Kids…, a podcast series from First Focus on Children, that uncovers why children are an afterthought in politics. We'll discuss how we can unify our efforts to demand change that will improve the well-being of all our kids. Your hosts are Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby of First Focus on Children, a bipartis ...

Additional information to support the ParentingMontana.org tools.

Transmission Interrupted is brought to you by NETEC, the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center. Their mission is to increase the capability of the United States public health and healthcare system to safely and effectively manage individuals with suspected and confirmed special pathogens. Join NETEC as they discuss a wide range of important healthcare topics through the lens of special pathogens. Topics will include health care worker safety, personal protective e ...

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 ...

Your fifteen-year-old needs to take risks in order to exercise their responsible decision-making abilities. Also, their need to belong becomes even greater as they assert their independence. These challenges are a normal part of your teen’s development. Now is the right time to grow a trusting relationship with your teen and encourage them to manage their own actions, problem solve, and make healthy choices. Knowing effective ways to support your teen is not easy. ParentingMontana.org offers ...

Your fourteen-year-old is in the process of learning to manage strong feelings, understanding their increased expectations at home, growing friendships, and attempting to meet academic standards. All of these new experiences can feel overwhelming. Now is the time to build a trusting relationship with your child/teen and support them in managing their own actions, solving problems, and making healthy decisions. Knowing how to offer this parental support is not easy. Parents and those in a par ...

Your thirteen-year-old is in the process of carving out their identity, and their measuring stick is often their peers’ opinions and approval. They come to better understand themselves through interactions with you, their teachers, and their peers. This is a critical time to teach your child/teen how to manage their own actions, problem solve, and make healthy decisions. ParentingMontana.org brings parents and those in a parenting role this podcast to provide a process and tools to support y ...

Four-year-olds are actively working to make sense of their surroundings and engage with those around them. The relationship you have with your child forms a solid foundation from which your child can feel safe to explore the world. Now is the right time for parents and those in a parenting role to continue to grow a trusting relationship with their child. Parenting is an exciting adventure that does not come without its challenges. The parenting process and tools shared in this podcast from ...

Four-year-olds are actively working to make sense of their surroundings and engage with those around them. The relationship you have with your child forms a solid foundation from which your child can feel safe to explore the world. Now is the right time for parents and those in a parenting role to continue to grow a trusting relationship with their child. Parenting is an exciting adventure that does not come without its challenges. The parenting process and tools shared in this podcast from ...

Your sixteen-year-old needs to be in situations where they can practice healthy decision-making skills. Involving teens in establishing family rules and expectations makes a huge difference in their ability to safely experience the world. There are simple things parents and those in a parenting rule can do right now to build a healthy relationship with their teen while encouraging them to manage their own behavior, solve problems, and make healthy choices. Parenting a teen is not easy. Join ...

Your nineteen-year-old is in the process of learning and establishing lifestyle habits that will extend throughout their lifetime. Although your teen is considered an adult, they still have a lot to learn. Giving teens the chance to make choices now while parents and those in a parenting role are able to lend support, will make them better prepared when they leave home. Parenting a teen while also allowing them independence is not easy. Parents and those in a parenting role can do simple thi ...

As your seventeen-year-old matures, they will need to test their limits and the rules in order to internalize them. This can lead to power struggles, especially since at times seventeen-year-olds feel like adults. Parenting a teen is not an easy journey. There are small things parents and those in a parenting role can do today to foster a strong relationship with their teen while supporting them to manage their own behavior, solve problems, and make healthy choices. ParentingMontana.org give ...

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 ...

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 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 twelve-year-old is working to assert their independence while still being dependent. They will naturally test limits and break rules. Although this is challenging for parents and those in a parenting role, it is a normal part of your child’s/teen’s development and necessary for their learning. Now is the right time to engage your child/teen in learning how to manage their own behaviors, solve problems, and make healthy choices. The information provided in this podcast from ParentingMont ...

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 ...

Your eighteen-year-old is legally an adult, but your relationship with them is just as important as ever. Your conversations won’t end when they graduate; they will change. Allowing teens to make decisions now while parents and those in a parenting role are able to offer support, will make them more successful when they leave home. Now is the time to make the most of conversations you have with your teen. Being the parent you want to be for your teen is not easy. There are numerous things pa ...

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 ...

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 ...