A child theme in WordPress allows a theme to inherit functionality from a parent theme while allowing customizations. Using a child theme allows users to update the parent theme without losing customizations and save time. To create a child theme, choose a parent theme, create a new folder with a style sheet, and any additional files will override those in the parent theme. Child themes provide a way to customize and extend an existing theme.

2. What the heck is a child theme? “ A WordPress child theme is a theme that inherits the functionality of another theme, called the parent theme, and allows you to modify, or add to, the functionality of that parent theme.” - The WordPress Codex

3. What can I use a child theme for? Customize the parent site design Add in additional functionality Save a bunch of time

4. Why would I use a child theme? Update the parent theme without losing your customizations Did I mention the part about saving time?

5. Example of a child theme

6. Example of a child theme

7. Example of a child theme

8. Example of a child theme

9. Example of a child theme

10. Example of a child theme

11. What do I need to get started? Choose a parent theme (check out twentyten & twentyeleven) A new folder in /wp-content/themes/ A CSS file in your new theme

12. Keep in mind… Your child theme can contain as many or as few files as you want Files in your child theme folder override files in the parent theme folder Adding a functions.php will add-to rather than override functions.php from your parent theme

13. The CSS file * Template = folder name of the parent theme

14. Themes page For bonus points, add a screenshot.png file to your child theme folder. 300 x 225 pixels

15. Overriding style elements Parent Theme Child Theme

16. Overriding style elements

17. Overriding files Parent Theme Child Theme

18. Overriding files

19. Pluggable functions A function in a parent theme wrapped in function_exists() can be overridden by defining it in your child theme’s functions.php file

20. Overriding functions Parent Theme Child Theme

21. Theme Frameworks Genesis – studiopress.com Thematic – themeshaper.com Hybrid – themehybrid.com “ A Theme framework is a Theme designed to be a flexible foundation for quicker WordPress development, usually serving as a robust Parent Theme for Child Themes. ” - The WordPress Codex

22. Resources http://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development http://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes http://codex.wordpress.org/images/1/18/Template_Hierarchy.png http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API http://aaron.jorb.in/thirtyten/

23. Questions?