Parenting comes with big questions, and the Office of Child Care and Family Resources (OCCFR) is here to help. Our free fall parenting class series offers UW families the chance to learn from experts, connect with other parents, and gain confidence in supporting children’s growth and development.
Meet Our Fall 2025 Parenting Class Instructors
This fall’s series is led by three outstanding experts who bring deep professional knowledge and a genuine passion for supporting families.
You may recognize Dr. Laura Froyen, a human development and family studies scholar and former therapist, from previous semesters of OCCFR’s parenting classes or baby play group! Dr. Laura helps parents restore balance, compassion, and joy to family life. Drawing on both research and her own experiences as a parent, she empowers caregivers to connect more deeply with themselves, their children, and their partners.
Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician and public health advocate, blends medicine, children’s librarianship, and education to promote child well-being. In addition to his teaching roles at UW–Madison, he leads initiatives like Reach Out and Read, emphasizing the power of shared book reading in early development.
Dr. Amber Evenson, a child development specialist and certified lactation counselor, brings expertise in infant mental health, early childhood development, and sleep science. With both professional and personal insight into the challenges of family sleep, she provides practical, compassionate strategies to help families thrive.
Together, these instructors offer UW families evidence-based guidance paired with real-world understanding—ensuring every class is both informative and supportive.
What This Series Covers
The Fall 2025 Parenting Class Series addresses some of the most common (and often the most stressful) challenges families face during the early years. Whether you’re navigating big changes, puzzling over sleep routines, or seeking calm in the face of tough behaviors, these classes offer guidance that is both research-based and practical.
Parents and caregivers will find support in a wide range of topics:
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Transitions back to care or school with Dr. Laura, including strategies for easing anxieties and helping children adapt confidently to new routines.
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Sleep solutions with Dr. Evenson, tailored to two age groups: infants in the first nine months, and older babies and toddlers up to age four. These classes provide flexible approaches to reduce night wakings, establish healthy routines, and create more restful nights for the whole family.
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Managing parenting triggers and challenging behaviors with Dr. Laura, through two separate two-part series. These sessions equip parents with tools to stay calm during difficult moments, discipline without yelling, and address the underlying causes of children’s behaviors with compassion.
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Understanding children’s immune systems with Dr. Navsaria, who breaks down how immunity develops in early childhood and what parents can do to support health and reduce illness risk.
This series is designed to meet parents where they are. Whether you’re a new parent adjusting to life with a baby, a caregiver juggling multiple children, or simply someone who wants to parent with more confidence and connection, you will learn something valuable from these classes. Each session combines professional expertise with real-world insight, giving you actionable strategies you can use right away.
By offering these classes free of charge, OCCFR ensures that every member of the UW–Madison community—students, employees, and their families—can access tools that promote healthier children, stronger family relationships, and greater well-being at home and on campus.
Register Today!
Parenting is challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. These free classes are designed to give you the knowledge, tools, and community support you need to feel more confident in your parenting journey.
View the full schedule and register here!
Spots fill quickly, so we encourage you to sign up early and share the link with colleagues, classmates, or friends who may benefit.