Kansas State University

Most of you rarely think about how you communicate with loved ones. However, family communication is important. It determines relationships with each other and sets the tone for family living. Family communication is not simple. Communication is more than what you say and do. Your messages depend on how you think the other person will react, so you may communicate differently with each member of the family. Each person has several different family communication patterns that develop over time, depending on who is being communicated with, the setting, the timing, and other factors.

• FamilyTALK Fact Sheet

Intimate relationships take hard work. They do not just happen — they require attention. This CoupleTALK program is designed to help you give more attention to your relationship. CoupleTALK emphasizes skill-building. It also stresses the process of growth and behavior change to help the relationship become stronger and more satisfying to both of you. The process is risky and it takes time. It requires partners to reveal more of themselves and accept what their mates are revealing.

• CoupleTALK Activity Cards
• CoupleTALK: Enhancing Your Relationship Fact Sheet

Finding reliable parenting information can be a challenge. There are many books, and articles - some good and some not so good. How do you know what to read - especially when you're busy and there's just so little time? We are here to help! View the following aged based information for important milestones, developmental skills, and other parenting resources.

Building Baby's Brain

• The Basics
• Prime Times for Learning
• What Parents Can Do
• What Child Care Can Do
• Learning Language
• The Role of Music
• Is Breast Milk Best?
• What to Eat When You're Expecting
• Nurturing Positive Relationships
• The Importance of Play
• Creating Consistency
• Buffering the Brain from Toxic Stress

Developmental Milestones

• The First Year
• The Second Year
• The Third Year
• The Fourth Year
• The Fifth Year

School-Age

• Disciplining School-Age Children
• Importance of Friendships
• Self-Concept
• Talking with Children When the Talking Gets Tough

Adolescent (Ages 10-25)

• Understanding Your Adolescent
• Living with Your Teenager: Understanding Changes in Thinking
• Living with Your Teenager: Understanding Emotional Changes
• Living with Your Teen: Understanding Physical Changes

The following resources are common Childhood Topics for parents.

• Disciplining Toddler
• Disciplining Preschooler
• Five Numbers to Remember about Early Childhood
• Moving to a New Home
• Read and Write
• Self Esteem
• Sibling Rivalry
• Sleep
• Temper Tantrums
• Toilet Training
• Toys

Choosing care for your child can at times be confusing or stressful. View the following resources to help find the best fit for your child.

• Visit Child Care Aware of Kansas for assistance locating child care or call toll free 877.678.2548 to request a list of child care facilities in your area. 
• Child Care Licensing Parent Page
• Choosing Care for Your Children: Child Care Centers and Preschools
• Choosing Care for Your Children: Child Care Homes
• Checklist for Choosing Quality Child Care

• COVID-19 Extension Resources
• K-State Research and Extension 
• Zero to Three
• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• Kansas Children’s Service League
• Healthy Families

StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time.   Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to stakes, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. Contact the Extension Office to request a StoryWalk.

StoryWalk® Books Available

• The Little Red Hen
• Owl Babies
• From Head to Toe
• Going on a Bear Hunt
• Caps for Sale
• Oh Say Can You Seed?
• N if for Nutrition
• Some Days I Flip My Lid!
• A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds
• From Seed to Plant
• Cutie Sue Fights the Germs
• The Most Magnificent Thing
• Farmers and Ranchers Care About their Animals
• Curious George Saves His Pennies
• Sheep in a Shop
• Ox Cart Man

April TBA

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the Nation Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and servicesw that meet those needs.

Click Here for Activities and Resources!

Suddenly in Charge is designed to help teens and tweens with their roles in taking care of younger children.

Visit the Suddenly in Charge Site to find tip sheets, safety information, activities, resources, and more!