In an effort to support stronger families and a healthier community, the Moose Jaw Express has sponsored access to ParentTV, a digital parenting platform designed to provide practical, expert-backed guidance to caregivers across the city.

The initiative offers families sponsored access to a library of approximately 2,200 short-form videos covering a wide range of topics, from postpartum challenges and early childhood development to teenage mental health, bullying, and family relationships.

“You can search by topic, or even by your child’s age, and find quick, practical advice that’s easy to digest,” said Mark Ritchie, founder of Learners Engaged, who helped bring the program to Moose Jaw.

Unlike traditional parenting resources that often require time-intensive reading or structured courses, ParentTV focuses on accessibility. Most videos run between four and seven minutes, allowing parents to find immediate guidance during real-life moments.

“If you’re struggling with something, it offers quick and practical advice,” Ritchie said. “It’s not about telling parents what to do. It provides thoughtful guidance from trusted professionals so families can find what works best for them.”

The platform features content from recognized experts in child development, psychology, and education. This includes Canadian voices such as Vancouver-based psychologist, author, and parenting educator Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, along with international contributors such as Chazz Lewis and “Queen of Common Sense Parenting” Maggie Dent. The platform also includes experts from the United States and Australia, where the service was first developed, reflecting a broad international research base and range of perspectives.

For Moose Jaw families, the sponsorship removes a key barrier: cost. Instead of requiring subscriptions or accounts, users can access the platform simply by entering their postal code through a dedicated portal at Library.ParentTV.com/library/mooseje.

“It’s gifted access,” Ritchie explained. “Families just go in, put in their postal code, and they’re in.”

That ease of access is part of what makes the program relevant at the community level, where parents and caregivers are often balancing time constraints with the challenges of raising children in an increasingly complex world.

“There’s so much noise online,” Ritchie said. “Between TikTok, Instagram, and personal opinions, it can be difficult to know what’s credible. ParentTV is a place where you can find trusted, research-backed guidance from professionals that’s engaging and easy to access.”

Beyond individual use, the platform is also designed to support organizations that work with families, including educators, health care providers, and community groups. ParentTV offers additional materials such as activity guides, structured video series, and even curated content reels for use in waiting rooms or group settings.

Ritchie noted that early conversations with local organizations have shown interest in how the platform could complement existing programming, particularly for parenting and family support groups. While no formal partnerships have been confirmed, the potential for integration highlights the broader community value of the initiative.

“It’s really for anyone involved with children and families,” he said. “Parents, caregivers, and teachers can all benefit from it.”

The sponsorship builds on the Express’s previous coverage of “SEEN,” a ParentTV documentary that challenged parents to rethink behaviour and connection. While that film offered a single, in-depth narrative, ParentTV expands the concept into an ongoing resource, allowing families to explore topics at their own pace.

For Ritchie, the goal is simple: to make reliable parenting support more accessible in Moose Jaw.

“Supporting stronger families and healthier communities, one conversation at a time — that’s really what this is about,” he said.

Access to ParentTV is available through a Moose Jaw–specific portal, which can be reached using the affiliated QR code or at Library.ParentTV.com/library/mooseje, with free use provided for one year as part of the sponsorship.

Community organizations interested in incorporating the platform into their programming or services are encouraged to contact the Moose Jaw Express at 306-694-1322 for more details.

For more information about ParentTV, visit ParentTV.com.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express