Positive Parenting

Positive parenting is behaviors caregivers and parents can do to help build their child’s capacity to love, trust, learn and explore*. The Positive Parenting Program at Seattle Children’s works to support parents in guiding their child’s healthy development within the context of their family’s culture. We provide information and resources for our patient families and the community, as well as training for providers.

Positive Parenting Resources

Child-Directed Play
Learn about this one-to-one play that can help your child build self-confidence and strengthen your parent-child bond. Available In Spanish.

Essentials for Parenting Toddlers, Preschoolers and Teens
Get expert advice on common parenting challenges including communication, how to create structure and discipline. View short demonstration videos. Available in Spanish.

Parenting Tool: Emotion Coaching (PDF)
Help your child understand their emotions and how to cope with them through emotion coaching. Available in Spanish.

Parenting Tool: Validation (PDF)
Learn how to validate your child’s feelings and behaviors. Available in Spanish.

Take 5 When You're Overwhelmed or Frustrated (Video)
Being a parent or caregiver isn’t easy. Learn how to “take 5” and who to call for support.

Your Baby’s Emotional Health
Learn ways to nurture your child’s emotional health. Available In Spanish.

Zero to Three
Information on parenting and early childhood development. Includes tips on supporting brain development and social emotional well-being through everyday activities. Addresses topics such as discipline and limit setting. In English and limited Spanish.

Parenting Classes and Support

Atlantic Street Center (Seattle)
Classes, support groups and workshops designed to empower families, enhance parenting skills and raise healthy families. Available to all families living in the City of Seattle.

Families of Color Seattle
Peer-led support groups for families of color. Groups are available for parents and caregivers of newborns, waddlers and affinity groups. They also offer programs with activities that bring diverse families of all ages together.

Family Works (Seattle)
Provides free support, skill building and information to people and families in Seattle. They offer virtual parenting classes and workshops, connection to resources and indoor play groups.

Korean Community Service Center
Provides parenting programs for expectant parents, an Appa Hour group for expectant fathers and fathers of children aged 0 to 3, as well as other parenting programs.

Parent Help 123
Information on parenting classes, health insurance, breastfeeding support and food banks. Get access to activities and games that support healthy growth and learning and free developmental screening for children under 5.  Available in Spanish. You can also call their Help Me Grow Washington Hotline 1-800-322-2588 (multiple languages available).

Parent Trust for Washington Children
Parenting information and coaching, child development information and referrals for parenting classes and support groups. Parent coaches are available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-932-4673.

Parenting Classes in Your Community-2-1-1
The 2-1-1 Community Information Line lists local parenting classes and support resources for your community. Under “Find Help,” choose “Search Online” and enter “parenting” along with your location for a list of options

Perinatal Support Washington
Support groups for new and expectant parents across Washington. Includes groups for single parents, NICU parents, parents of multiples and foster and adoptive parents. Listings include virtual and in-person groups.

PEPS
PEPS connects parents through peer-support groups that aim to strengthen families and increase wellness while helping them cope with life stresses. Learn about groups for expectant parents, new parents, parents of adolescents and teens, affinity groups and network groups.

For Families of Children with Disabilities, Mental Health or Special Health Needs

Behavior Basics Class
A free, on-demand virtual class for parents and caregivers of children ages 5 to 12 with disruptive behaviors.

Mental Health Support for Special Needs and Medically Fragile Parenting
Virtual peer support group for parents from birth to 4 years.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Family Support Groups
Peer-led virtual support groups for those who have a loved one with a mental health condition.

Open Doors for Multicultural Families
Provides information, services and programming to culturally and linguistically diverse families of persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities. 

PAVE
Provides support, training, information and resources to empower and give voice to individuals, youth and families impacted by disabilities.

Parent to Parent (P2P) Support Programs of Washington State
Provides emotional support and information to families of children with special healthcare needs and disabilities.

Washington State Fathers Network
Support and connection for fathers of children with special healthcare needs and disabilities.

*Based on the definition of Positive Parenting developed by Zero to Three.