North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) provides free parenting courses for adults ages 18 and up. Family members, as well as for adults who provide care for children or work with children in their professional role can also benefit from the courses.

Dozens of topics. The wide variety of Parenting classes address multiple needs of parents,

Classes for parents whose children are any age. Some of NOCE’s Parenting Program classes are designed to focus on certain age-specific developmental stages of children. Many classes provide concepts that help parents whose child is any age.

Three tracks of Parenting courses. NOCE Parenting Program classes are within three categories:

the joyful parenting: art, music, and movement class taking a group photo

Courses such as Raising Thoughtful Children, Joyful Parenting, and Developmental Movement allow parents to learn about child development while enjoying in-person classes with their young child.

Teacher points to the presentation during a class about mental wellness in our homes.

NOCE’s Love & Logic® courses provide practical solutions to help make parenting more manageable and enjoyable. Learn everyday tools and techniques to handle the ups and downs of parenting with greater ease and confidence.

A group of smiling elementary school kids huddled together

Build resilience in children’s lives with NOCE’s Child Wellness courses. Nurture and care for children with practical tools and techniques. Join a trauma-informed community that thrives and makes a positive impact today.

Start Anytime with Flexible Learning Formats

NOCE Parenting courses are offered year-round during the Summer Term, Fall Semester, and Spring Semester. View the NOCE Course Schedules online to browse past, current, and upcoming Parenting Program courses.

Open Entry Classes. Parenting Program classes are open entry, so adults who wish to enroll can join the class at any time if space in the class is available. (Note: Students who enroll in a class after 40% of the course is already over are not eligible to receive a “Pass” grade but are eligible to earn a “satisfactory progress” grade.)

Distance Education and In-person Options. Classes are available in person, online, and in hybrid formats. Online classes are asynchronous, which means students study weekly at times and places convenient to them (without required meetings at certain times). Hybrid courses include meetings in person and other learning activities are completed online.


headshot of Erin Sherard
Thriving children are built through thousands of little moments of connection. Erin Sherard
NOCE Professor, Parenting Program

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Love and Logic® is a registered trademark of the Love and Logic Institute, Inc.