Parenting Courses taken with Children

Parents can enjoy time learning alongside their child(ren) through NOCE’s Parenting Program “child-and-me” courses. Courses include learning activities that align with young children’s developmental stages and foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.

“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 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 are Child-and-Me parenting classes changing 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 students 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