By enrolling in NOCE’s online or hybrid Child and Family wellness classes, parents and others gain critical insight into children’s behavior and how to respond. Also known as Building Trauma-Informed Communities (BTIC) classes, Child and Family wellness courses explore how past or current adversity affect parents, too. Classes benefit adults who have children of any age (babies, young children, adolescents, teens) and/or adult children.

NOCE Child and Family Wellness Courses

Parents and other adults enrolled in Child Wellness/BTIC courses learn to nurture hope and help children build skills that reduce the negative effects of adversity. Students also learn ways to care for themselves and children in the best possible ways.

Child and Family Wellness course overview:

• Short-term, non-credit courses
• 6 to 8 weeks to finish most classes
• Classes start at various dates throughout the year
• Tuition-free
• Online classes are flexible, without scheduled meeting times (asynchronous)
• Hybrid classes include a weekly in-person meeting and asynchronous online learning activities

Child Wellness Course Descriptions and Student Success Award Criteria

• Connected Parenting (PARN 102)

  PARN 102

  With focus on strengthening caregiver-child connections, essential methods in helping children regulate their emotions,
  improving feelings of safety and security, and decreasing challenging behaviors, this course provides simple, research-based techniques for every parent who wants to build a life-long positive relationship with their child.
• Connected Parenting: Early Childhood and Infancy (PARN 301)

  PARN 301

  This course assists parents and caregivers in learning the importance of connection (attachment and bonding) as the building blocks to infant/early childhood social emotional and cognitive development. The focus is on exploring ways parents and caregivers can provide responsive and attuned care while increasing lifelong resilience for their children.
• Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences – ACEs (PARN 300)

  PARN 300

  Learn about the effects of childhood adversity, toxic stress, and the impact on health and well-being. Explore methods to help address your personal history so you can provide attuned, nurturing care. Effects of early trauma can be prevented or reversed through healthy relationships. Learn how to promote wellbeing and resilience in children and ourselves.
• Foster, Kinship, and Adoptive Families (PARN 302)

  PARN 302

  This course is created for foster, adoptive and kinship parents to assist in learning the importance of connection (attachment and bonding) as the building blocks to social-emotional and cognitive development. The focus is on exploring ways parents can provide responsive and attuned care while increasing lifelong resilience for children.
• Strengthening Families (PARN 303)

  PARN 303

  Discover the characteristics needed for healthy environments and relationships in the home while recognizing the uniqueness of each family dynamic. Learn the importance of caring for yourself while also providing the stability needed to meet the physical and emotional needs of the children in your life.
• Mental Wellness in the Home (PARN 304)

  PARN 304

  Get an overview on mental health to have more awareness and understanding. Explore factors that influence mental health at home, protective measures, and skills needed to aid in healthy coping and regulation strategies for family members and youth in the community. Help make vibrant, healthy communities a priority.
• Effects of Trauma on LGBTQ+ Youth (PARN 305)

  PARN 305

  Improve your understanding of LGBTQ+ people, terminology, and stressors/traumas that potentially impact youth. Gain insights that advance your awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. Learn to use simple tools to break down barriers and build safety and well-being for everyone.
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Populations (PARN 306)

  PARN 306

  Learn about human trafficking from the perspectives of those working in the anti-trafficking movement. Increase awareness in your home, school, and community. To aid in prevention and protection of youth who experience social media and other influences, explore definitions, risk factors, and build skills to spot red flags, prevent trauma, and aid youth.  The prevalence of trafficking in Orange County is presented. This is a difficult issue, but solutions are within reach.
• Internet Safety and Awareness (PARN 307)

  PARN 307

  Gain awareness and understanding of the online world and how it works. The benefits and risks associated with the Internet will be explored along with the tools needed to help children stay safe while they engage in technology use.
• Understanding Addictive Behaviors (PARN 308)

  PARN 308

  Increase understanding and awareness about addiction and how it impacts individuals and families. Definitions of addiction are explored, as well as the connection between trauma and addiction. Students explore the importance of connection and relationship as a preventative and protective measure.  
• NEW! Navigating Loss: Supporting Families Through Grief and Change (PARN 355)

  Learn about the many ways in which grief and loss can appear in the lives of parents and children. This course offers strategies on how adults can support themselves as well as those they care for as they navigate common changes and challenges that occur throughout parenthood.
• Why take Child and Family Wellness/BTIC classes?

  Adults learn how to help children through changes and challenges that life can bring throughout a child’s life.  By learning about important topics with resources and information rooted in science, including pyschology and child development, parents expand their understanding of the many factors that influence their own behavior and their children’s behavior. Parents can prepare for challenges that may lie ahead, and be ready to respond to their children or other children’s needs in years ahead.

  Students who enroll in these classes also join a vibrant group of dads, moms, grandparents, aunties, uncles, resource families, and a range of professionals to become members of a trauma-informed community. 
• Achievement Award in Parenting: Child Wellness/Building Trauma-Informed Communities (BTIC)
  A Parenting Program achievement award can be earned by passing four total courses in the Building Trauma-Informed Communities/Child Wellness track, including one required fundamental course:

   

  PARN 300: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (required)

   

  Plus, the student’s choice of three more courses from these options:

   

  PARN 102: Connected Parenting

   

  PARN 301: Connected Parenting: Early Childhood and Infancy

   

  PARN 302: Foster, Kinship, and Adoptive Families

   

  PARN 303: Strengthening Families

   

  PARN 304: Mental Wellness in the Home

   

  PARN 305: Effects of Trauma on LGBTQ+ Youth

   

  PARN 306: Safeguarding Vulnerable Populations

   

  PARN 307: Internet Safety and Awareness

   

  PARN 308: Understanding Addictive Behaviors

   

  PARN 355: Navigating Loss: Supporting Families Through Grief and and Change

   

  NOCE hosts a special event in May every year during which students who earned a student success award can celebrate their achievements with family and friends during a public ceremony.

NOCE’s Parenting courses are for all adults who love and support children of any age.

The post Child and Family Wellness appeared first on North Orange Continuing Education.

Deepen connections with the children in your life, learn additional parenting skills, and raise children who thrive.

NOCE’s tuition-free parenting classes provide a fantastic learning opportunity for parents and other adults at no cost. Adults who take the classes gain new ideas, learn positive parenting techniques in a friendly and safe environment, or explore intriguing topics that help enhance their own wellness and family life overall.

Parenting Class Focus Areas

• New and Special Interest Classes

  The Parenting Program offers modern, relevant learning opportunities for adults ages 18 and up. Some of the latest classes developed by Parenting Program faculty include:

  • Navigating Loss: Supporting Families Through Grief and Change (PARN 355) – beginning Summer 2026
  • Nature Nurtures: How the Outdoors Shapes Childhood (PARN 160) – introduced Spring 2026
  • Raising Culturally Responsive Children (PARN 297) – introduced Fall 2025

  Check back frequently for additional info on more new classes, such as: 

  • Healing Homes: Trauma-Informed Parenting in Foster and Adoptive Care (PARN 280) – coming Fall 2026
  • Prenatal and New Parent Classes – several classes for soon-to-be parents ages 18+ who are expecting (prenatal classes) and classes for adults with newborn children and babies – coming Fall 2026
• Child and Family Wellness (Building Trauma-Informed Communities) Classes

  With the information and skill-building exercises provided in these classes, parents, family members, resource families, and other adults learn ways to develop trust, build healthy relationships, healthy behaviors, and communicate with children to be effective as a parent and develop lifelong resiliency. Adults learn how to model desired behaviors (“do as I do” skills)  and methods that reduce stress and enhance the well-being of themselves and the children in their lives.

  The foundational Child and Family Welless class, Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), introduces parents and other adult students ages 18+ to key concepts important to understanding their children’s and their own childhood experiences. More and more pediatricians have begun to routinely assess children for ACEs, as the impact of ACEs on health is profound and lifelong. 

  Other Child and Family Wellness courses explore a variety of other topics. NOCE is proud to help build a trauma-informed community through these classes. For more information on Child Wellness/BTIC courses, visit the Child and Family Wellness page.

  NOCE’s Building Trauma-Informed Communities Conference is a special event attended by dads, moms, grandparents, and other adults raising children of all ages, and professionals including PK-12 teachers, administrators, school counselors, social services workers, college and university faculty and staff, and others. Learn more on the Parenting Events page.
• Practical Parenting: Love and Logic® Classes

  Love and Logic^® classes offered by NOCE are free of charge to our community.

  The Love and Logic^® approach to parenting helps adults raise self-confident, motivated children who are ready for the real world. Love and Logic® classes provide loving, yet powerful tools for parenting young children, adolescents, teens and even adult children. 

  NOCE’s Love & Logic® classes are valuable opportunities for parents, foster parents, grandparents, and caregivers of school-age and teen children, as well as social workers, teachers, and others interested in learning techniques for creating positive relationships. Courses include:

  • Parenting the Love & Logic Way^®
  • Love and Logic: Supporting Youth with Challenging Pasts^®
  • Love and Logic: Supporting Youth with Special Needs^®

  For more information, view the Love and Logic® page.
• “Child-and-Me” Classes (Classes taken with Young Children)

  Enjoy classes that promote bonding and expand students’ knowledge and skills to support the physical, mental, and social-emotional development of their child through music, movement, reading, arts, crafts, games, field trips, and more.

  Child-and-Me courses are offered primarily in a hybrid modality, in which enrolled adults enjoy weekly in-person class meetings and weekly online learning activities, too. 

  • Nature Nurtures: How the Outdoors Shapes Childhood (PARN 160). For parents, resource families, grandparents, or other adults with a child ages 4 to 6 years of age. Explore nature through hands-on activities, nature walks, wildlife observation, and creative projects. The course fosters curiosity, observation skills, and lasting connections with nature, while offering flexible, asynchronous access to lectures and resources online for enrolled adults. (Note: This class is held primarily at various local outdoor sites instead of in a traditional classroom setting.)
    
    
  • Joyful Parenting. Joyful Parenting classes are for dads, moms, and other adults with children in the age range of 1.5-2.5 years and 2.5-5 years. Help build your child’s self-esteem with class activities and quality time together to support child development. You’ll also get the latest parenting skills through lecture, discussion, observation, and hands-on learning. Prepare children for preschool or kindergarten through interactive play, learning expectations, and following directions. 
    
    
  • Raising Thoughtful Children. Enrolled adults participate with a child ages 1.5 to 2.5 years old, or ages 2.5 to 5 years, to support social-emotional development, and guide their child to build awareness of self, family, community, and the world. The class uses developmentally appropriate activities that emphasize building a growth mindset and thoughtfulness toward themselves and others.
    
    
  • Developmental Movement. Learn to encourage development in large motor skills, coordinated body movements, and expressions of self-esteem in your child. Two types of Developmental Movement classes, including a class for adults with children ages 1-2 years, and another course for adults whose children are ages 3-4.5 years.
    • NEW! Check back in July for information on a new Developmental Movement class for adults whose child is newborn to 12 months – coming Fall 2026.
      
      

  More information can be found on the Child-and-Me courses page.

  Important Details About “Child-and-Me” Courses

  Parent or other adult (ages 18+) attends with a child; the adult is the registered student. Moms, dads, grandparents, resource family parents, nannies, and other adults who caretake a child are encouraged to enroll.   For more information about Child-and-Me courses, please review additional details on the parenting program registration info page.

No-Cost and Convenient Parenting Courses

NOCE Parenting Courses are free and are for any adult who loves or cares for children, including caregivers and any adult family member. Parenting Courses are convenient – available at NOCE centers, community locations, and online. 

View the current NOCE Course Schedule to browse Parenting Program courses. Start dates vary. Plan to enroll when registration opens and two weeks in advance of the course start date if possible. (Note: NOCE Parenting Program offers open enrollment so you can join a class already in session if space permits.)

Student Spotlight

Raúl Güereque

NOCE Parenting Program Student

Raúl Güereque, a stay-at-home father and longtime educator, discovered NOCE’s Parenting Program through the California Community Colleges website. Although not local to the area, he was drawn to the program’s flexible, tuition-free online courses—an ideal fit for his lifestyle while raising two young daughters. Having stepped away from the classroom, Raúl was looking for a way to stay mentally engaged and grow as a parent beyond books and podcasts. NOCE offered him the opportunity to reconnect with education, focus on personal development, and build confidence during his healing journey.

Since joining, Raúl has experienced meaningful growth in both his parenting and personal relationships. The supportive environment—shaped by educators like Parenting Instructor Chivonne Carter and fellow parents—has helped him feel connected and empowered. He hopes to return to teaching in the future, potentially focusing on parenting or mental health, areas where he’s found renewed passion. Raul highly recommends the Parenting Program to any parent seeking connection, growth, and practical tools for everyday life.

The post Parenting Program appeared first on North Orange Continuing Education.

“Child-and-Me” Course Descriptions

Raising Thoughtful Children

Explore interesting topics to support your child’s social-emotional development and build awareness of self, family, community, and the world. Children and adults will experience developmentally appropriate activities together to foster a growth mindset and thoughtfulness towards oneself and others.

• PARN 237 Raising Thoughtful Children – Ages 1.5 – 2.5
• PARN 238 Raising Thoughtful Children – Ages 2.5 – 5

Joyful Parenting

Enjoy self-esteem-building activities with your child through songs and music, arts and crafts, and other fun activities.  Parents will learn techniques for school readiness and activities to do at home while your child will learn about socialization, sharing, and following directions. A snack time allows for the instructor to share lecture/discussion topics with parenting tips.

• PARN 101 Joyful Parenting: Creative Art/Music – Ages 1.5 – 2.5
• PARN 200 Joyful Parenting: Art, Music, & Movement – Ages 2.5-5

Developmental Movement

Parents are introduced to the latest information about their child’s development and parenting skills, through lectures, discussion, observation, and hands-on learning. Learn appropriate activities and developmental stages for your child(ren) that prepare them for preschool and/or kindergarten.

• PARN 260 Developmental Movement – Ages 1-2
• PARN 262 Developmental Movement – Ages 3-4.5

Visit the Developmental Movement page for more information on the classes.

Nature Nurtures: How the Outdoors Shapes Childhood

Families explore nature through hands-on activities, nature walks, wildlife observation, and creative projects. The course fosters curiosity, observation skills, and lasting connections with nature, while offering flexible asynchronous access to lectures and resources.

• PARN 160 Nature Nurtures: How the Outdoors Shapes Childhood – Ages 4-6

Check out our searchable current class schedule to see which “Child-and-Me” classes are available each semester or summer term.

Frequently Asked Questions: Child-and-Me Hybrid Courses 

• Why have Child-and-Me parenting classes changed to a hybrid model of instruction?

  The hybrid model combines the best of online and in-person learning.

  Online, students can learn at their own speed, focusing on parenting and caregiving strategies without classroom distractions. In person, students get to practice these strategies with their children while the teacher gives guidance and feedback. This approach helps students learn in a way that suits them, makes course material easy to access, and links what they learn online to what they do at home and in class with their kids.
• What does it mean that Child-and-Me parenting courses are hybrid?

  In a hybrid class, you learn both online and in person.

  For NOCE’s Child-and-Me parenting courses, this means you do part of the class online each week with videos, readings, or activities, and the rest in person with your child and teacher. The online part lets you learn at your own speed and think about new parenting ideas without distractions. Then, during the in-person class, you can practice what you learned, watch how the teacher interacts with children, and get help that fits your child’s needs.

  This hybrid model helps parents learn the most by mixing flexible online learning with hands-on experiences that improve real-life parenting skills.
• Will I need to log into Canvas to pass the class?

  Yes. Students in hybrid classes need to log into Canvas, which is NOCE’s learning system, every week and take part in school activities regularly to pass the class.

  The online activities help with what they learn in the weekly in-person classes.
• How much time online is expected of students each week?

  Students should plan to spend about two hours a week on online learning activities.

  This time is flexible, so you can do it whenever you want. The online materials teach important parenting and caregiving tips. Students are encouraged to use and think about these strategies while spending time with their children each week of the course.
• Are children of the enrolled adult student expected to engage in the online portion of hybrid Child-and-Me classes?

  The online learning content is mainly for adults.

  Sometimes, teachers might share videos or activities that kids can watch or join in, but these are not required for the course. Usually, kids are expected to join only during the in-person classes.
• When does the remote, online portion of hybrid Child-and-Me classes take place?

  In asynchronous hybrid classes, students can log into Canvas whenever they want to do their online learning activities.

  In child-and-me parenting courses, parents and kids can learn fun and interesting things at their own pace without having to attend online meetings at a set time.
• How do I access the online portion of hybrid Child-and-Me courses?

  Canvas, NOCE’s online learning management system, can be accessed in several ways, including from the NOCE website or by downloading the Canvas Student app from an app store on a smart phone.

  Click here to view the video showing you how: YouTube Logging Into Canvas
• I need help to get started using Canvas. What can I do?

  NOCE offers several sources of support and assistance to help students succeed in hybrid courses. 

  • NOCE’s Career Skills and Resource Lab at NOCE Anaheim, has helpful videos on their webpage to help you get started, and in-person assistance.  Click here to navigate to the videos available via the Career Skills and Resource Lab webpage. (Note: The videos are found under the “What is Canvas?” tab in the middle of the webpage.)
  • NOCE Student Tech Support webpage is also a great resource. It includes information on many topics, including how to request to borrow a NOCE laptop or Chromebook (supplies limited; available while supplies last), and other getting-started assistance. Visit: www.noce.edu/tech-support for details.
• I don’t have a laptop or PC to access the online portion of my hybrid Parenting course. Can NOCE help?

  Although students can use a smartphone to access Canvas, another option is to request to borrow a laptop or Chromebook from Student Technology Support Services.

  Parenting Program students are NOT required to fill out the online application. Similarly, Parenting Program students are NOT required to complete an educational plan to be eligible to borrow a laptop. Instead, simply email the Student Tech Support team to inquire about availability and show evidence of enrollment in an online or hybrid Parenting course. If a laptop is available, you will be provided a reservation time/date to pick up a laptop or Chromebook.
• How can I access WiFi while I’m on campus in-person at NOCE centers?

  Free WiFi is available at all three NOCE Centers using EduRoam. Learn more: WiFi Access – North Orange Continuing Education

The post Parenting Courses taken with Children appeared first on North Orange Continuing Education.

Upcoming Events:

Check back soon to view upcoming events.

Past Events

2026 Building Trauma-Informed Communities Conference

The 7th Annual Building Trauma-Informed Communities (BTIC) Conference was held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Brea Community Center. Nearly 100 community members participated in the keynote address and break-out sessions hosted by NOCE Parenting Program faculty and other service providers, including the Riverside Unified School District, Orange County Healthcare Agency, Soulful Transformation, and NOCE’s Counseling Department.

For Agencies and Guest Speakers

• Want to partner on an upcoming event?

  The Parenting Program regularly collaborates with community partners and agencies to provide low-cost or no-cost learning opportunities for parents and other adult community members at various sites.

  If you are interested in having the Parenting Program partner with you on your organization’s existing event, let us know. Contact us by email: parenting@noce.edu

  The Parenting Program may be able to provide guest speakers, assist in planning and/or promoting your event, or in limited cases, may be able to sponsor events that are complementary to NOCE Parenting Program’s mission.
• Guest Speakers

  Whether you are interested in being a presenter or guest speaker at an NOCE Parenting Program event or you would like to request the Parenting Program to provide a guest speaker, contact us: parenting@noce.edu

The post Parenting Program Events appeared first on North Orange Continuing Education.

Love & Logic^® courses help parents and other adults who care for children to develop new facets in their relationships with children, including establishing healthy boundaries with their children while exploring new ways of understanding each child’s unique needs and behavior. Parents develop skills that help create a peaceful home environment, diminish stress and arguing, develop self-control and respectful behavior. Parents learn how to effectively encourage positive behavior and healthy development in their children of all ages, from toddler to adult.

Love and Logic® Course Descriptions

For a list of classes being offered each semester, view the Class Schedule. 

• Parenting the Love and Logic Way®

  This course assists parents and caregivers in developing practical skills for reinforcing the expectations their children experience at home and in school. Utilizing the Love and Logic® approach, this course will teach six subsets of skills that encourage home environments that stimulate responsibility, prevent misbehavior, and encourage setting healthy limits.
• Love and Logic: Supporting Youth with Special Needs™

  This course is designed to support adults parenting or supporting youth with disabilities by developing practical skills for reinforcing the expectations of children at home and in school. By utilizing the Love and Logic® approach, this course helps dads, moms, and other adults who care for children develop four subsets of skills that encourage home environments that stimulate positive relationship development, empathetic listening, realistic goal setting, and independence in children. The information included in this course is for those who already have a strong understanding of the Love and Logic® approach.
• Love and Logic: Supporting Youth with Challenging Pasts™

  This course assists parents and caregivers in understanding how trauma and hurtful events affect a child’s brain. Students learn the importance of bonding and relationships and how to address the root causes of a child’s behavior through practicing empathy, establishing boundaries, and building healthy relationships.

Parenting Program Registration

Parenting Program Registration: Click here if you are a new student or click here if you are a returning student wanting to register for Parenting Classes.
Read the Parenting Program registration instructions: view the NOCE class schedule and scroll down to the Parenting section.

Achievement Award in Parenting – Love and Logic® Track

Students who pass two Love & Logic^® classes can earn a Certificate of Achievement in parenting:

• REQUIRED COURSE: Parenting the Love and Logic Way®

And one of the following courses:

• Love and Logic: Supporting Youth with Special Needs™
• Love and Logic: Supporting Youth with Challenging Pasts™

Students who earn a Parenting Program certificate of achievement are invited to attend the NOCE annual Student Success Celebration event and receive recognition on stage at a ceremony to honor them and their accomplishments.

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

The post Love & Logic® Classes appeared first on North Orange Continuing Education.

Developmental Movement courses help adults understand the developmental stages of toddlers and preschool-aged children.  The courses include short lectures, discussion, observation, and hands-on learning. Adults’ children (up to two kids per enrolled adult) also join in age-appropriate activities.  This allows the adults to learn the importance of the developmental stages that prepare children for preschool and/or kindergarten. 

Class materials are provided for free with enrollment. 

Programs and Courses

The post Developmental Movement appeared first on North Orange Continuing Education.