Parent Resource Links
Minnesota Children's Museum strives to be a resource to parents. The internet is full of websites and articles on parenting topics and it can difficult to cut through the clutter. The websites below are compilation of resources that may be helpful if you are looking for parenting articles, play tips and other information about early childhood topics.
Child caring
Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network
Helps families find child care and understand their care options, supports child care providers through grants and education and informs the community on the importance of child care.
Resources for Child Caring
Resources for Child Caring's mission is to advance quality care and education of children in their crucial early years.
Local Parent Information and Resources
MacPhail Center for Music
MacPhail’s Early Childhood Music classes provide an exciting and creative beginning to a lifelong journey of musical fun and learning.
Help Me Grow
Help Me Grow is Minnesota's Early Intervention System, created as a resource for parents who might be concerned about their child's development. Services are offered free to eligible families regardless of income or immigrant status.
Early Childhood and Youth Development Blog
Resources and articles on early childhood topics from Dakota Technical College Program
Blast Off to Kindergarten
Dedicated to ensuring all Saint Paul children are ready for kindergarten.
ECFE - St. Paul
Early Childhood Family Education in St. Paul
Early Childhood Family Education in Minneapolis
Minnesota Parents Know
Trusted parenting information, resources and activities to help your children grow, develop and learn from birth through high school.
Children & Nature Network
Encourages and supports the people and organizations working nationally and internationally to reconnect children and nature.
Pacer Center
Classes, advocacy, and support for families of kids with disabilities and other who have concerns about their children’s education.
Parenting Education Resources
U of M Extension develops programs that foster the effective parenting of children and youth, with an emphasis on positive parenting for children birth to young adulthood.
MomTalk.com
Local women's magazine for moms about children, family, health, home, fashion, careers, marriage & more
Minnesota Parent
Local journal of family living.
Family Times
Local publication jam-packed with feature stories, editorials and columns, plus a wide variety of entertainment options for the entire family.
Grandparent Times
Publication focused on current topics such as talking or relating to grandchildren – of all ages – as well as resources for fun activities to share.
Baby Times
Essential information for new parents and parents-to-be with a comprehensive resource guide of prenatal classes and local resources including a handbook from conception to potty-training.
National Parent Information and Resources
K12
Provides individualized, one-to-one learning solutions to students from kindergarten through school from across the country.
Kindergarten Readiness Quiz
This school readiness checklist, found on IsYourChildReady.com, may help parents identify areas where their child needs help well before they are ready for school.
The National Parenting Center
Dedicated to providing parents with comprehensive and responsible guidance from the world's most renowned child-rearing authorities.
MOMS Club
A support group for at-home mothers with over 2,000 chapters internationally and 30 Minnesota chapters.
Way to Grow
A school readiness program that uses home visitors to promote learning of both parents and children.
Importance of Play
The Alliance for Childhood
Promotes certain issues such as the loss of creative play and hands-on activities in children’s lives, excessive screen time instead of face-to-face engagement with other children, caring adults, or the natural world.
Parents’ Choice Foundation
Provides information to help parents participate wisely in their child's learning outside the classroom.
Early Learning
PBS Parents
An online resource filled with information about childrens' developments from birth through the early school years.
Early Childhood Family Education
Classes for all families with children five and under, organized by local school districts.
Zero to Three
A national non-profit charitable organization that strengthens and support families, practitioners and communities to promote the healthy development of babies and toddlers.
Reading Readiness
Scholastic Books
Find reading ideas for your children, articles on school, learning and reading readiness, browse recommended book lists and review ideas for family activities.
First Book
Provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books.
American Library Association — Notable Children's Book List
Includes books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways.
