Preserving the strength and well-being of families is a challenge in today’s world. More than any other time in history, single parent and step-households are the norm, making parenting skills critical to the development of healthy children.

University of Illinois Extension Family Life programs and materials assist parents to grow in their knowledge and skill as teachers of their children. Topics encourage parents to adopt realistic expectations through the study of child development, guidance and discipline, and family communication skills. Programs are delivered through workshops, newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, web sites, and individual consultation.

Enhancing Family Time

“Although I do not have enough time to read child development books, I always find time to read the Parenting the First, Second and Third Year newsletter. It provides concise information and helpful advice on what is typical behavior for a particular age and what you can do as a parent to enhance your child’s development,” explains new father,Howard Guenther.

Guenther and his wife also benefited from the Children’s Literacy workshop sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. “My wife and I began to read to Elizabeth when she was a few weeks old. Now, reading together has become an essential part of our daily routine,” said Guenther. “It not only promotes her language development, but it also provides a busy toddler and her papa a great opportunity to cuddle together.”

Extension Offered a Life-Changing Connection

Cory Synder was a troubled teen, drinking often and having problems with his parents, when he met a University of Illinois Extension educator in Champaign County. She encouraged him to investigate the Lincoln’s Challenge Program (LCP) in Rantoul as a possible way to give his life some direction. He did, and became so interested he signed up.

“Lincoln’s Challenge Program was rough, especially the discipline,” said Cory, “but I scored well on my GED and decided to do something with my life.” Cory had the continuing support of the same Extension educator while attending and after graduating from Lincoln’s Challenge.

“University of Illinois Extension does a lot of programs for cadets at Lincoln’s Challenge,” commented Cory in a recent interview. “They taught a class that helped me figure out what my likes and dislikes are and the things that I am good at doing. After I graduated, I decided to work as a security officer at a shopping mall while I waited to enter the Marine Corps.”

Extension is involved in the Lincoln’s Challenge mentoring program. “Before I enrolled in LCP, I didn’t like school,” Cory stated. “Classes (taught by Extension) helped me realize why I acted the way I did at times and how my attitude affected my parents.”

Each cadet is assigned a mentor for one year beyond graduation. University of Illinois Extension provides training for mentors, the cadets, and their families. “My mentor, my parents, and I attended the Extension mentor training. It helped all of us realize the importance of communicating with each other. I feel I try harder now to talk with people who care about me and realize my parents are interested in my decisions,” Cory adds.