Did you know children’s library professionals have access to information, resources, and community partnerships that contribute to the development of materials, programs, and services that support families in their library communities? Through ALSC, you can create an informed media plan that best suits your family’s needs and navigate through the hardships brought on by COVID-19.
#LookToLibraries for Media Mentorship
Navigating the extent of digital devices and content available to young children can be daunting for parents and caregivers, and even more so during times of crises. These resources help to develop a media plan that best addresses your family’s needs. These tools have been available through the library and, just as families have had to adapt their expectations and guidelines for media use, libraries are continuously adapting to accommodate new situations and new challenges, like that of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Media Mentorship Tip Sheet – Learn more about media mentorship and how you can find excellent resources, model safe and effective digital device use, and find objective suggestions on creating a family media plan.
To Tech or Not to Tech? The Debate about Technology, Young Children, and the Library By Kathleen Campana, J. Elizabeth Mills, Claudia Haines, Tess Prendergast, and Marianne Martens
Where Are We Now? The Evolving Use of New Media with Young Children in Libraries By Kathleen Campana, J. Elizabeth Mills, Marianne Martens, Claudia Haines
#LookToLibraries for Support during a Pandemic
The resources below can help families and their children navigate and adjust to drastic changes in routines and the lack of access to familiar people and places as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tough Conversations Tip Sheet – Consider the strategies of Fred Rogers, of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, that describe how to talk with children about difficult topics.
Apps, Podcasts, and Activities – Apps, podcasts, and activities to support family well-being during the pandemic.
Books for Older Children – Titles for older children that include nonfiction information about epidemics and ways to manage anxiety.
Books for Young Children – Books to help young children understand germs and how to cope with the feelings they may be having.
Comforting Reads – times of crises bring times of change. These books were selected to help children going through challenging situations like the death of a loved one, an unexpected move, natural disasters, and more.
COVID-19 Expert Resources Tip Sheet – Connections to information about the virus to help children understand the pandemic.
COVID-19 Resources Tip Sheet – Print and online books, articles, apps, podcasts, and websites for youth and parents/caregivers to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online Books for Children – Online books for children that address the COVID-19 pandemic and how to cope with its challenges.
Resources for Parents/Caregivers – Books and articles to help parents and caregivers on a range of topics, from caring for a newborn in the age of COVID-19 to trying to balance parenting and coping with the pandemic.
Tough Topics – The books on these lists are to help inspire conversations with children going through challenging situations like the death of a loved one, an unexpected move, natural disasters, and more.