Parent Resources

• Parent Resources and Tips 101

Parent Resource Collection

The library has a special collection for parents that offers resources on various topics including special needs, behavior issues, educational activities, curriculum ideas, and many others resources. It is located in the children’s room.

Helpful Links For Parents

Below are some helpful links for parents are various subjects. If there is a site that you like or a topic you’d like to see here, please let us know.

General Parenting Information

• Department of Education useful pamphlets to download
• Tufts University directory of child development sites
• Parenting from iVillage
• Parenting Site from the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Dr. Sears’ Website
• Zero to Three
• Hand in Hand
  Supports parents and provides them with the insights and skills they need to listen to and connect with their children in a way that allows each child to thrive.

Emergent Literacy 

• Reach out and Read
• MA Early Learning Guidelines for Toddlers and Infants
  Great resources and research about early literacy.

Exploring books

• We Believe in Picture Books
• Candlewick Publishers interviews with authors and others about picture books.
• Storytime Online
  Famous actors read picture books.

Signing With Babies

• Signing with Your Baby
  This site offers discussion of how, why, and what to do to get started with baby signing. Also includes photos of common signs.
• ASL for Babies
  Online dictionary with videos of the signs.

Reading

• Reading is Fundamental
• Massachusetts Center for the Book
  Hosts the Massachusetts Book Awards as well as offering a Letters to the Author contest each year.
• Children’s Book Council
• Center for the book from the Library of Congress

Safety And Preventing Injury

• Safe Kids

Media Reviews For Parents

• Common Sense Media
• Kids in Mind Movie Ratings
• Parent Previews

Apps: Reviews and Discussions

• Children’s Technology Reviews
• School Library Journal Reviews (professional journal)
• Kirkus Book App Reviews
• Kindertown (reviews by educators)
• App of the Week by Horn Book (professional journal)
• Little eLit (reviews and app blog)
• Graphite (App reviews from Common Sense Media)
• APPitic (App directory for education)
• Teachers With Apps
• Digital Storytime (picture book apps)
• Article: “Are Learning Apps Good for Babies?” (School Library Journal)
• Digital Media Diet (blog on kids and technology)
• Apps for (Special) Education

Autism

We also have resources for parents and kids in the Library that are all requestable through our website or come in and ask us for any thing you might need.

Introduction to Autism

• Asperger’s Association of New England
• First Signs

Advocacy

• Advocates for Autism in Massachusetts
• The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
  By and for people with autism, this site offers resources for families and adults who are dealing with autism.
• Federation for Children with Special Needs
• Interactive Collaborative Autism Network
  Offers training modules for educators and parents and others who are involved in the education of those with autism.
• Massachusetts Advocates for Children
• Special Needs Advocacy Network
• Walsh Brothers Educational Advocates

Government and Legal Resources/Health and Human Services

• Special Education on the Department of Education
• Special Education Laws
• Massachusetts Civil Rights
• Wrights Law

Medical

• Mass General Lurie Family Autism Center
• Children’s Hospital – Use the My Children’s search feature.

Support

• The Arc of Massachusetts
• The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership
  An educational and advocacy site for and by individuals with autism. Provides information on support groups.
• Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM)
  AFAM is a coalition of individuals, families and organizations from across the state advocating on behalf people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) – including PDD and Asperger’s, with the goal of forming a collective voice in support of legislation, funding, and public awareness around ASD.
• Autism Alliance of Metrowest, Inc.
• Autism Society of America
• Autism Speaks-New England Chapter – Lisa Marie Kearney – AFAM Representative
• Autism Support Center
  Serving Northeastern Massachusetts, Charles River West, and Central Middlesex
• The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc.
• National Alliance on Mental IIllness (Massachusetts)
  Resources for legal, medical, support groups, and more.
• SPED Child and Teen
  Lists events and resources for parents, teens, and professionals.

Therapy Centers

• OTA Wakefield (Wakefield)
• The Futures Clinc (Beverly)
• Angel Care Therapy Center (Haverhill)
• Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Care Program
  Teaches social skills and other behavioral strategies to children, offering therapeutic support through group participation in recreational, social, and educational activities, including summer camps.