EveryDay Learners: Classes offer a route to parenting success

Most jobs come with training, but not parenting — and parenting is one of the most important jobs of all. In fact, knowledge of parenting and child development is so important that it’s one of the five protective factors for strengthening families and preventing child abuse.

Luckily, there are many ways to train yourself in parenting and child development so you can be the best parent you can be.

One of the best ways to improve your knowledge of parenting and child development is to spend time with other parents and families. When you have a community of parents, you can ask questions and get advice from people who have been in your shoes. You can see how other parents interact with their children and decide what strategies you would like to implement in your own family.

It’s also helpful to see how other children act so you can accurately gauge whether or not your child is acting normally for their age. Parenting gets much easier when you have help from other parents.

Another way to improve your knowledge of parenting is to attend parenting classes. In partnership with PBS, United Way of Utah County offers parenting classes called Ready To Learn at several different locations in the area. There are 16 workshops offered, each of which teaches you about key steps in your child’s development, demonstrates how to combine screen time with reading and provides hands-on activities to help your child learn.

Ready To Learn classes not only teach you important parenting skills but are also a great opportunity to meet other parents. Plus, each month you can get a complimentary children’s book to read with your child.

In-person Ready To Learn classes are offered each month at 6 p.m. at the following locations:

• First Thursday of the month at the Utah County Health Department in Provo.
• Second Thursday at the Orem Public Library in the Media Auditorium.
• Third Thursday at Kids Who Count, 345 N. state Route 198, Salem.
• Fourth Thursday at Kids on the Move, 850 S. 1700 West, Lehi.

Additionally, United Way of Utah County has one class during the day at the Utah County Health Department in Provo at 11:15 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. These classes are also offered on Facebook Live on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m.

By improving your knowledge of parenting and child development, you can strengthen your family and feel more confident as a parent.