New school, new teacher, new friends. Even when we're excited, a lot of "new" transitions can translate to a lot of new behaviors at home. A licensed parent educator will lead a 90-min seminar designed to help you understand the transition to the first week of school from your 3- or 4-year-old's developmental perspective. After a developmental review, we'll discuss strategies that can promote your child's school adjustment for a successful start to the year. Following the presentation, an ELC teacher and ELC parent educator will answer questions from the audience. Though targeted towards Edina ELC families, any local caregivers are welcome to attend. Perfect for new or returning preschoolers. Cost: Free, but registration required. This seminar is sponsored by Edina Public Schools & Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE). Virtual Link: A link will be shared with you prior to the start of class.

Twos, threes, fours, and fives, oh my! Welcome to the ‘village’ at the ELFC. In this informal caregiver-only group, you’ll get a chance to get to know other ELFC caregivers as you discuss topics relevant to toddlers and preschoolers. These bimonthly sessions will prioritize organic caregiver connection and conversation (like Joys & Concerns); our licensed parent educator will facilitate the group, and provide evidence-based resources/materials as topics and questions emerge. We know how busy this stage of life can get, so we’d love if you can join us regularly, but we also welcome those who can only attend occasionally. Sibling Care is available during this class: https://earlylearning.edinaschools.org/learning/sibling-care

It can be difficult to determine how to navigate tough topics with your child in an age-appropriate manner. How do we inform our kids of what they need to know, while being sensitive to their stage of emotional development? How do we differentiate between what feels helpful versus overwhelming? Together, we’ll consider evidence-based strategies for addressing difficult themes so you adapt accordingly for a conversation with your family, in your home. Though designed for parents of preschoolers and early elementary students, caregivers of any aged children are welcome.

***Please note that when you register for this individual parenting session, a parent educator will reach out to you directly via email to schedule the exact date and time of your session (it will not be taking place on 9/2/2026 from 1pm-2pm). Individual Parent Education is available if you would like to have a private session with a licensed Parent Educator from the ELFC. Each session is 60 minutes. You pick the discussion topic(s). Here are examples from previous registrants: Talking about race, pandemic parenting, child development, discipline, communication skills, nurturing self-esteem, tantrums, eating, sleeping or toilet training, sibling issues, parent/child relationships, school readiness, any other parenting concerns. Once you register, contact our parent educator Linda Stotts at Linda.stotts@edinaschools.org Sibling Care is available during this class: https://earlylearning.edinaschools.org/learning/sibling-care

As children develop, so do our parenting needs! Join our licensed parent educators for brief ‘Parenting Toolkit Express’ seminars aimed at growing your caregiver toolbox. Part workshop, part presentation, these seminars are designed to offer support and solidarity while sharing evidence-based information to broaden your parenting skill set. Tantrums and outbursts can be typical parts of early childhood, but can still leave parents and children feeling stressed or unmoored. This seminar will introduce evidence-based approaches for coaching your young child’s emotions before, during, and after a meltdown, tips for regulating yourself in the moment, and strategies for ‘going upstream’ to recognize meltdown potential.

As children develop, so do our parenting needs! Join our licensed parent educators for brief ‘Parenting Toolkit Express’ seminars aimed at growing your caregiver toolbox. Part workshop, part presentation, these seminars are designed to offer support and solidarity while sharing evidence-based information to broaden your parenting skill set. Come “nerd out” with us as we explore the brain science behind dysregulation. We’ll explore the biological basis for co-regulation, developmentally appropriate expectations for emotion management, and strategies for identifying and supporting dysregulation in our children.

Come to class and learn new parenting skills as your child grows from Elementary through High School years. Beyond ECFE Classes are taught by Licensed Parent Educators, meeting once per month. Group discussion allows parents to share their challenges, experience and wisdom. Topics are determined based on the interests of the class. Classes offered are: Parenting Elementary Students, Parenting Middle School Students, and Parenting High School Students. Parenting Elementary Students (Second Thursday of the month): Although they are sometimes referred to by academics as the “forgotten years”, middle childhood is jam-packed with change, challenges, and opportunities. No longer a preschooler, not yet a teen – but plenty of caregiving and parent-child connection is needed to nurture elementary schoolers’ identity development. Come build community with other parents tackling the same age range. Topics are flexible and will reflect group interests, but may include: supporting children in building and maintaining friendships, coaching emotional development, promoting healthy sibling relationships, balancing participation vs overscheduling, designing a well-balanced relationship with media, cultivating gratitude and resilience, addressing and preventing relational aggression, and more. Sibling Care is available during this class: https://earlylearning.edinaschools.org/learning/sibling-care

Come to class and learn new parenting skills as your child grows from Elementary through High School years. Beyond ECFE Classes are taught by Licensed Parent Educators, meeting once per month. Group discussion allows parents to share their challenges, experience and wisdom. Topics are determined based on the interests of the class. Classes offered are: Parenting Elementary Students, Parenting Middle School Students, and Parenting High School Students. Parenting High School Students (Second Wednesday of the month): Topics may include adolescent brain development, friendships and social dynamics, health & wellness, dating, emerging independence, positive discipline, parties and dances, technology and social media, college planning, time & money management, and drugs & alcohol. Topics are flexible and reflect the interest of the group. Sibling Care is available during this class: https://earlylearning.edinaschools.org/learning/sibling-care

Come to class and learn new parenting skills as your child grows from Elementary through High School years. Beyond ECFE Classes are taught by Licensed Parent Educators, meeting once per month. Group discussion allows parents to share their challenges, experience and wisdom. Topics are determined based on the interests of the class. Classes offered are: Parenting Elementary Students, Parenting Middle School Students, and Parenting High School Students. Parenting Middle School Students (Second Tuesday of the month): Topics may include friendships and social dynamics, personality and independence, behavior and discipline, back talk and rude behavior, building resilience, developing responsibility, self-confidence, body image, emotion coaching, balancing homework and activities, puberty, adolescent brain development, and technology and social media. Topics are flexible and will reflect the interests of the group. Sibling Care is available during this class: https://earlylearning.edinaschools.org/learning/sibling-care

For this season’s session (3 meetings), we’ll dive into Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents by Reid Wilson and Lynn Lyons, and learn hands-on strategies to promote our children’s confidence as they learn to manage worry and discomfort. Though most relevant for caregivers of elementary-aged children and beyond, we’ll ensure discussion offers tools for younger families, too.

This season’s session will provide a glimpse into our teens and tweens’ inner worlds via Lisa D’Amour’s most recent title, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents. Though most relevant for caregivers of late elementary-aged children and beyond, we’ll ensure discussion spans all age ranges.

This season’s session (3 meetings) will read Tiny Humans, Big Emotions. We’ll dive into the emotional world of early childhood, and explore strategies for promoting our children’s regulation, emotional awareness, and empathic behavior.

Has ‘the talk’ been on your to do list, but you simply don’t know where to start? Join other caregivers as we consider how ‘the talk’ can actually be a series of developmentally appropriate, well-timed ‘chats’. We’ll examine evidence-informed approaches for discussing puberty and sexual education with your child, review helpful resources, and discuss how we can open the door for our children to approach us with their concerns and questions well into the future.