Parents

All Parents Content

Group of young adults playing hacky sack outside the SDSU Miller Wellness Center.

More Than Play: How being active helps kids mental health and behavior

Physical activity for kids is much more than running, jumping, and playing games. It plays a critical role in supporting children’s overall development, extending far beyond just physical health.

vanilla frozen yogurt bark with strawberries, blueberries and peanut butter drizzle in a red bowl on a kitchen counter.

Smart Snacking for Kids

Snacks are an opportunity to provide vital nutrition, while also allowing children to enjoy the foods they love. Learn some fun, kid-friendly snack ideas to fuel kids of all ages!

different colored fruits and vegetables arranged into a rainbow.

Fun With Fruits and Veggies

Getting kids excited to eat fruits and vegetables can feel like a battle most days. However, with a little fun and creativity, they’re far more likely to become part of the routine.

Young woman playing with a toddler in a large sandbox.

Bright Summers: Choosing Fun and Learning-Focused Care

Just as you did when you selected full-time care or after school care, you will want to consider various elements of summer care for your school-aged kids. Enriching summer programs are available through many types of settings, enabling children to have fun and explore at their own pace.

SDSU Extension Early Childhood Field Specialist Audrey Rider reading a book to a group of four children.

Children

Nationally, more than 60 percent of households are dual income, resulting in an increased need for early childhood education programming.

A small group of children at daycare.

Strengthening Rural Childcare Through Community Collaboration

Survey reports that aim to understand the current landscape of childcare in the state, focusing on availability, cost, quality, and impact on families and the economy.

Teachers and students in an early childhood education classroom.

Building Thriving Parent-Teacher Relationships

Childcare providers and educators spend countless hours watching children develop and grow. It is important for parents to build a strong reciprocal relationship with educators that helps support healthy learning and development.

Two young students viewing a laptop screen in a student lounge.

Screen Time in a Digital Age

The relationship between overall health and wellbeing in relation to screen time use is described as complex and dependent on a variety of factors, such as developmental periods, types of devices used, and demographic and contextual factors.

Dance video game on a monitor at the SDSU eSports lounge.

Do Active Video Games Count as Physical Activity for Kids?

Active video games, sometimes called exergames, are marketed as a way to turn screen time into physical activity time. These games can be a good option for increasing activity time in youth, but they have their limits.

Woman using a calculator

SDSU Extension offers many resources in finance, personal wellness

December 18, 2025

As we enter the holiday season, SDSU Extension wants to remind South Dakotans of the many resources available to help people in personal finance, health and wellness.