Impact

Penn State Extension webinar series to focus on parenting 10- to 18-year-olds

Strengthen your parenting skills and support your adolescent's growth with "Thrive: Branch Out." This virtual, self-paced program is designed for families and caregivers of children ages 10 to 18, offering on-demand sessions that cover positive parenting practices, stress management, and strategies for promoting physical health. Credit: public domain. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During adolescence, youth need their parents’ attention and support more than ever, noted organizers of a Penn State Extension program called “Thrive: Branch Out,” designed for families and caregivers of children 10 to 18 years old.

The webinar series will take place from noon to 1 p.m., March 18 through April 22.

With so many changes and transitions happening during adolescence, this phase of life is a time of excitement and anxiety for both youth and their families, organizers pointed out. This program is designed to support caregivers in nurturing their adolescent during the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Sessions will cover communication, developmental milestones, mental health and additional information via family scenarios. Attendees can gain skills in positive parenting practices, stress management and child physical health promotion techniques.

This hybrid program includes virtual on-demand lessons combined with online interactive webinars with extension educators and other parents.

Taught by highly qualified educators with years of experience in child development, Thrive offers programs to empower parents and caregivers as they nurture children to adulthood.

Penn State Extension’s food, families and communities unit partnered with the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State to offer the "Thrive: Branch Out" program.

Penn State Extension offers this webinar series free of charge, but registration by noon March 18 is required to receive the link to access the webinars.

More information is available on the Penn State Extension website.

Last Updated March 5, 2025

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