Positive Parenting

Birth - Age 5

From the first day of life to the first day of kindergarten, children grow faster than any other time in their lives. The first five years of life literally shape how the brain gets built, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers.

Behavior and Discipline

• Discipline for Young Children (PDF) - A workbook for parents of young children
• One Tough Job - Being a positive parent can be tough
• Positive Discipline - Learn how to negotiate the challenges of parenting

Child Care

• Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services - Learn more about quality child care
• Childcare Aware of Virginia - Talk to a professional about your child care needs
• Virginia Department of Social Services - Find child care providers in your area
• Virginia Star Quality Initiative - Learn what quality child care looks like

Developmental Stages

• PBS Parents - Learn the milestones of your child’s first five years

Early Education and Learning

• Born Learning - Help shape your child’s world
• PBS Parents - You are your child’s first and most important teacher
• Zero to Three - Because early experiences matter

Health, Nutrition and Safety

• Healthy Children - Answers to many health questions that new parents have
• Kids Health - Learn what you need to know about raising a healthy family

Parenting

• Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services Parenting and Prevention Programs
• RVA Basics - Five fun, simple, and powerful ways that every family can give every child a great start in life
• GrandFamilies Guide - Learn more about the basics of grandparents raising grandchildren
• FAMRichmond - Children are a gift, but they don’t come with instructions
• One Tough Job - Find information especially for dads

Social and Emotional Development

• RVA Basics - Five fun, simple, and powerful ways that every family can give every child a great start in life
• Zero to Three - Because early experiences matter

Ages 5-10

At this stage in life, children are expressive, social, curious and full of wonder. They like to explore their interests and every day they are developing skills they will use as adults. While they like to be thought of as big kids, they still need your parenting as much as they did when they were toddlers.

Behavior and Discipline

• Chesterfield County Public Schools Standards for Student Conduct - The public school policy guide for parents and students
• One Tough Job - Being a positive parent can be tough
• Positive Discipline - Learn how to negotiate the challenges of parenting

Child Care

• Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services - Learn more about quality child care
• Childcare Aware of Virginia - Talk to a professional about your child care needs
• Virginia Department of Social Services - Find child care providers in your area
• Virginia Star Quality Initiative - Learn what quality child care looks like

Developmental Stages

• Ages and Stages: 6 to 8 Year Olds (PDF) - Quick reference guide for your child’s milestones
• Ages and Stages: 9 to 11 Year Olds (PDF) - Quick reference guide for your child’s milestones

Education and Learning

• Great Schools - Involved parents equals successful kids
• One Tough Job - Find out how to get involved in your child’s education

Health, Nutrition and Safety

• Consumer Product Safety Commission - Up-to-date information on recalls and products your family uses
• Healthy Children - Answers to many health questions that new parents have
• Kids Health - What you need to know about raising a healthy family
• National Safety Council - What you can do to keep you and your family safe at home

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

• American Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Find your facts here when you have questions about your child’s emotions or behaviors
• Autism Speaks - Learn more about autism resources for your family
• SAFE, Inc. - Chesterfield County working together to prevent substance abuse
• The Partnership at DrugFree.org - Support, tools and tips from experts and parents
• Get Smart About Drugs - A resource for parents, educators and caregivers

Parenting

• AARP: GrandFamilies Guide - Learn more about the basics of grandparents raising grandchildren
• Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services Parenting and Prevention Programs
• FAMRichmond - Children are a gift, but they don’t come with instructions
• One Tough Job - Find information especially for dads

Ages 11-13

The transition from childhood to the teen years can be both exciting and unsettling for parents and children. As preteens go through changes in their bodies, thinking, emotions and relationships with others, parents face changing roles and a growing list of questions and concerns.

Behavior and Discipline

• Chesterfield County Public Schools Standards for Student Conduct - The public school policy guide for parents and students
• One Tough Job - Being a positive parent can be tough
• Positive Discipline Booklet - Learn how to negotiate the challenges of parenting

Child Care

• Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services - Learn more about quality child care
• Childcare Aware of Virginia - Talk to a professional about your child care needs
• Virginia Department of Social Services - Find child care providers in your area
• Virginia Star Quality Initiative - Learn what quality child care looks like

Developmental Stages

• Ages and Stages: 9 to 11 Year Olds (PDF) - Quick reference guide for your child’s milestones
• Child Development Institute - When your children need you more than ever
• Family Doctor - What to expect when your child goes through puberty

Education and Learning

• Child Development Institute - Learn how to help my child succeed in school
• Great Schools - Involved parents equals successful kids
• One Tough Job - Find out how to get involved in your child’s education

Health, Nutrition and Safety

• National Safety Council - What you can do to keep you and your family safe at home
• Consumer Product Safety Commission - Up-to-date information on recalls and products your family uses
• Healthy Children - Answers to many health questions that new parents have
• Kids Health - What you need to know about raising a healthy family
• Stay Strong - This Richmond based website provides information and resources about eating disorders for families, friends and professionals of young adults struggling with an eating disorder

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

• American Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Find your facts here when you have questions about your child’s emotions or behaviors
• Autism Speaks - Learn more about autism resources for your family
• SAFE, Inc. - Chesterfield County working together to prevent substance abuse
• The Partnership at DrugFree.org - Support, tools and tips from experts and parents
• Get Smart About Drugs - A resource for parents, educators and caregivers

Parenting

• AARP: GrandFamilies Guide - Learn more about the basics of grandparents raising grandchildren
• Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services Parenting and Prevention Programs
• Child Development Institute - The challenges and rewards of single parenting
• FAMRichmond - Children are a gift, but they don’t come with instructions
• One Tough Job - Find information especially for dads

Ages 14-18

At this point, many teens will act as though they do not need their parents any more but the truth is they need you just as much as ever! Teens and young adults need their parents to keep the lines of communication open, provide them with guidance and help them with decision making.

Behavior and Discipline

• Chesterfield County Public Schools Standards for Student Conduct - The public school policy guide for parents and students
• One Tough Job - Being a positive parent can be tough
• Positive Discipline Booklet - Learn how to negotiate the challenges of parenting

Developmental Stages

• Family Doctor - What to expect when your child goes through puberty

Education and Learning

• Child Development Institute - Learn how to help my child succeed in school
• Great Schools - Involved parents equals successful kids
• One Tough Job - Find out how to get involved in your child’s education

Health, Nutrition and Safety

• National Safety Council - What you can do to keep you and your family safe at home
• Consumer Product Safety Commission - Up-to-date information on recalls and products your family uses
• Healthy Children - Answers to many health questions that new parents have
• Kids Health - What you need to know about raising a healthy family
• Stay Strong - This Richmond based website provides information and resources about eating disorders for families, friends and professionals of young adults struggling with an eating disorder

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

• American Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Find your facts here when you have questions about your child’s emotions or behaviors
• Autism Speaks - Learn more about autism resources for your family
• SAFE, Inc. - Chesterfield County working together to prevent substance abuse
• The Partnership at DrugFree.org - Support, tools and tips from experts and parents
• Get Smart About Drugs - A resource for parents, educators and caregivers

Parenting

• AARP: GrandFamilies Guide - Learn more about the basics of grandparents raising grandchildren
• Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services Parenting and Prevention Programs
• FAMRichmond - Children are a gift, but they don’t come with instructions
• One Tough Job - Find information especially for dads