Tompkins Families

Check In With Us!

If you want to be in touch--about anything!—just call, text, or email us at cce-tompkins@cornell.edu. You can also like us on Facebook and subscribe to our Family Matters monthly newsletter.

Tompkins Families serves as a reliable resource for all families based within Tompkins County. Here you will find information on parenting, educational resources, financial information, and fun and/or informational events throughout the county.

This site is managed by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County as part of our mission to contribute to the well-being of our diverse community. The information here is gathered from numerous sources. Please feel free to contact us if you wish to have other links added to those gathered here.

New Siblings

A good sibling relationship is more likely if parents value it. Parents should think about the way they would like their children to behave with each other.

Healthy Snacks

Getting back to school is all about learning new routines. Keeping healthier snacks handy makes it easier for kids to eat well when they come home hungry. Here are some ideas from Finger Lakes Eat Smart NY!

Why Read to Your Child?

Research shows that reading to young children stimulates brain development, lays the foundations for language and literacy, and prepares children for academic success.

young boy in a playroom crawling in a play tube

Choosing A PreSchool

Selecting a pre-school for your young child can be confusing. Consider the staff, setting, daily routine and philosophy. Visit a variety of facilities, ask questions and look at the environment

Changing Fresh Kids

Today, many parents are struggling to find non-violent, positive ways to communicate with their children. Here are some suggestions that may help.

child in silhouette in corn field watching geese fly at sunset

Children's Exposure to Violence

Healing the Invisible Wounds: Children's Exposure to Violence is a guide for families for helping children cope with violence.

Contact

Family & Community Development

cce-parenting@cornell.edu
607-272-2292, ext 247

Last updated May 29, 2025

Tompkins' Families

Things To Do!

The 2012 Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers program at Cornell Plantations (PLTNS).

Cornell’s Work/Life in Human Resources maintains several e-lists such Cornell Parents (K-12, undersix, classifieds), Students-with-Kids, LGBT Families and Special Needs Families. They also publish a bi-weekly Cornell Parenting Newsletter with Cornell related child, family, and parenting activities, workshops, etc. For those who are caring for an aging relative or friend, you can find resources and/or sign up to receive the monthly Elder/Adult Care Newsletter.

Community Partners

Tompkins' Families includes a network of organizations that work together to help families create communities where children can thrive. By collaborating, we can better reach families that need support, which in turn helps create healthy children, strong families, opportunities for early learning, and supportive communities. Learn more about Tompkins' Families community partners on the links below:

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Tompkins County