Parenting & Family

General Parenting & Family Information

99 Tips for Family Fitness Fun - Ways to help your family keep fit while spending time together (Shape Up America! sponsored by C. Everett Koop, former US Surgeon General). For resources on kids' sports and coaching, see our Sports page.

101 Things You Can Do With or For Kids - Suggestions for activities that you can do with youth, whether you have a lot of time or a little, and whether you're a parent, grandparent, neighbor, aunt, uncle, friend, mentor, volunteer, or someone who just enjoys spending time with kids (Office of National Drug Control Policy). Family TLC features age-appropriate child activities, family games, sports, crafts, music, cooking, nature, and more, plus parenting tips and articles on child development (FirstTeacherTLC.com). Kids Off the Couch offers ideas for family activities that 'pair films and outings to teach children about culture, life and values' (commercial site). See also Toys, Games & Parties, and Musical Instruments.

Child & Family Webguide - 'A directory that evaluates, describes and provides links to hundreds of sites containing child development research and practical advice.' Browse topics by broad subject or age group, or use the alphabetical index to find a specific topic. (Tufts University)

ChildHelp USA® - Tips, brief articles, video, links, and other resources on recognizing and preventing child abuse. For additional information, see Medline's Child Abuse Resources page.

Children & Families Abroad - Information about international adoption, parental child abduction, child support, and child protection services. See Family Issues for information about births, deaths, marriages and divorces abroad. See also Help for Americans Abroad for information on additional protection and services for overseas citizens. (U.S. State Department)

Child Trends Databank - 'One-stop-shop for the latest national trends and research on over 80 key indicators of child and youth well-being' (nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization). See also Kids Count for an annual databook (PDF) providing national and state-by-state statistical profiles of child well-being (Annie E. Casey Foundation).

Child Traumatic Stress - Resources for parents and other caregivers on understanding and coping with childhood traumas (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). See also Crisis Resources for parents and educators (National Association of School Psychologists).

Commercialism and Kids - Tips and resources for raising healthy kids in our fast-paced consumer society (Center for a New American Dream). See also What's a Parent to Do? (Natural Resources Defense Council), and What are your kids learning about money online? (Common Sense Media). Mom, Dad, and Marketing Messages new focuses on dealing with the effects of alcohol and tobacco marketing on your kids (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Education World Archives: Parents - General parenting links, as well as links on children's health, family fun, home schooling, kids & college, kids & disabilities, and parent involvement. A description and review is included for each website. NOTE: This is an archive of website reviews written between 1997 and the present, so links on some of the older reviews may be broken, and some websites may have changed significantly since they were reviewed. (Commercial site)

Facts for Families - Short fact sheets on a variety of behavioral and other issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families. Available in English, Spanish, German, Malaysian, Polish, Icelandic, Arabic, Urdu, and Hebrew (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). See also Information for Families (National Association of School Psychologists), PTA Parent Resources (Parent Teacher Association), and Articles for Parents (American School Counselor Association).

Family Development Publications - FAQ and printable pamphlets (PDF) with advice on parenting children at different ages; includes sections for single parents and stepfamilies (University of New Hampshire). See also Parenting & Seniors (University of Illinois Extension).

Family Guide: Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug-Free - Advice on raising mentally healthy and drug free kids, designed for parents and other adults involved in the lives of 7- to 18-year-olds. Includes tips on how to talk with your child, get involved, set rules, be a good role model, teach kids to choose friends wisely, and monitor your child's activities. (SAMSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Family Mealtime - Explains why it is important for families to eat together regularly, with suggestions on what to talk about at family meals (SAMSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). See also The Art of Family Dinners (commercial site).

Family Services Hotlines - A list of toll-free phone numbers for families needing assistance in NJ, including hotlines for food stamps, family violence, energy assistance, child care, child support, and other programs (State of New Jersey). The USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center includes links to Nutrition Assistance Programs (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance [formerly known as Food Stamps], WIC, School Meals, etc.) (U.S. Department of Agriculture).

Family Works - 'Strategies for building stronger families.' Includes advice on respect, anger, stress, values, discipline, responsibility, learning, and more. (University of Illinois Extension).

Fathers.com - A resource for men seeking to strengthen their fathering skills, covering different fathering stages, situations, and issues. Now includes podcasts and a weekly e-newsletter (National Center for Fathering).

Get Prepared and After a Disaster - Advice on what to do before and after floods, hurricanes, winter storms blackouts, and other disasters. Covers food safety, water treatment, thawing frozen pipes, cleaning, and more. (American Red Cross). See also Basic Emergency Preparedness (Office of Senator Barbara Boxer), Ready.gov (FEMA), and Really Ready (Federation of American Scientists). Ready.gov for Kids is a tool to help parents and teachers educate children in grades 4-5 about emergencies and how they can help get their family prepared (FEMA).

Gifted Children - Information on parenting gifted and talented children (Prufrock Press Inc., publisher).

Good Manners - Advice and resources to help you teach your kids, from toddlers to teens, the basics of good manners (Emily Post Institute). See also Recommended Etiquette Books for Children (San Francisco Public Library), and Manners and Etiquette Resources (Teacher Planet, commercial site).

Greater Good - Advice for parents on how to raise happy, successful, emotionally literate kids. (University of California)

Grief and Loss, Funeral Arrangements, End of Life - Advice on practical issues (funerals, finances, legal concerns) as well as emotional support for dealing with the death of a loved one. Includes an article on Helping Grandchildren Deal with Grief (AARP). See also A Guide to Children's Grief (PBS) and Pregnancy and Newborn Loss (March of Dimes). The American Widow Project was created specifically to provide support for military widows (non-profit organization).

Kid Law - This Legal Resource Center offers news, documents, and discussion on laws affecting minors. (Association for Children of New Jersey)

Law and Your Family - Up-to-date information on laws addressing family issues such as marriage, childbirth, adoption, domestic violence, estate planning, divorce, and caring for an aging parent (American Bar Association). See also New Jersey Law: Family & Relationships (Legal Services of NJ) and Family Law (Commercial site: Nolo Press).

Learning Disabilities - Links to selected resources for parents of kids with learning disabilities. (South Plainfield Public Library)

Military Youth on the Move new - Advice and support for children of military families to help deal with the difficult time of moving, saying goodbye, and starting over in a new place. Separate sections for elementary, middle, and high school students. (U.S. Department of Defense)

Mothers' Center of Central NJ - Area group offering 'support and discussion groups, evening parent education workshops, social activities, playgroups, library resources... and friendship!'

National Parenting Center - Scroll down and click on one of the child icons for very brief articles by MDs and other authorities on topics related to pregnancy, newborn, infancy, toddler, preschool, preteen, and adolescence, or use the search box to find articles on a specific topic. (Commercial site)

N.J. Department of Children & Families - State child welfare agency focused on strengthening families and achieving: safety, well-being and permanency for all New Jersey's children. Offers resources on child abuse & neglect, child health & safety, and a variety of financial and support services for families.

Parenting Advice from eXtension.org - Answers from experts, articles, and an e-newsletter on a wide range of parenting questions and concerns. (An educational partnership of 74 universities in the United States)

Parenting Priorities new - Free articles and web resources on a wide range of development and learning-related topics for parents of kids from pre-school age to high school. Includes information on Special Education and Gifted & Talented. (Non-profit site: Teachers & Families / Network for Instructional TV, Inc.)

Parents Anonymous new - A non-profit organization that offers parenting advice and free peer support groups to parents who are experiencing stress. Call the Family Helpline, 1-800-THE KIDS (1-800-843-5437), to speak to a specially trained volunteer who can offer advice and referrals to resources in your community. The Helpline is available in New Jersey 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free and confidential.

Summer Camp Guide - A searchable directory of summer camps for kids & teens in the US, plus related articles (American Camp Association). See also Allen's Guide (includes camps and educational programs outside the US) and Peterson's Summer Camps & Programs (commercial sites).

Summer Learning Activities - 'Activities to help children & teens explore reading and writing all summer long.' (International Reading Association and National Council of Teachers of English)

Talking With Kids about Tough Issues - Advice on talking to your kids about sex, violence, HIV/AIDS, terrorism, and drugs & alcohol. Also en Español. (Children Now and the Kaiser Family Foundation)

USA.gov: Parenting Resources - Government information and services for parents on child care, child support, education, health, and more.

Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Grade-Schoolers

Parents! Check out our KIDSTUFF page for program information
and great links for younger kids!

Babies & Books - This site suggest activities to help you share the joy of books and reading with your child during the early stages of growing (newborn through toddler). (Mid-Hudson Library System)

Baby Name Wizard - Interactive 'Namipedia' offers advanced searching capabilities and a full page on every name, with baby name meanings and origins, popularity, graphs, surveys, siblings and more, plus related features (commercial site). On Baby Names World you can search hundreds of baby names by country of origin or browse alphabetically; includes meanings of each name (commercial site). First Names and their Origins briefly gives the meaning and origin of names from many different cultures (commercial site). See also Popular Baby Names (Social Security Administration) and Baby Name Wizard's Name Voyager (commercial site) for current and historical statistics on the popularity of different first names in the U.S.

Baby Products Guide - This helpful online guide includes shopping and safety tips for car seats, strollers, cribs, changing tables, play pens, clothing, bathtubs and more (March of Dimes & Consumer Reports). See also Consumer Reports Baby Products Blog.

Baby-proofing Your Home - Simple safety checks to help eliminate hazards to your baby inside your home (National Safety Council). See also Baby Products Guide, described above, and the safety section of this page.

Back-to-School Transitions - Suggestions to help ease the transition from summer vacation to schooltime and get the new school year off to a good start (National Association of School Psychologists). Consumer Focus: Back to School offers brief, helpful health and safety information for parents at the start of the school year. Covers common childhood illnesses, check-ups & immunizations, sleep, nutrition, travel to & from school, and backpack safety, plus links to related resources (Federal Citizen Information Center). See also Back to School Health & Safety Tips (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Breastfeeding - An overview of benefits, challenges, lifestyle, and other helpful information (National Women's Health Information Center). See also Breastfeeding FAQ (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Breast Feeding Resources (Medline), and La Leche League: Breastfeeding FAQ.

Dads Adventure - Useful, basic advice for first-time fathers (formerly New Dads' Boot Camp).

Going to School - Information for parents of kids in Pre-K through grade 5. Explains what and how kids learn, grade-by-grade. Offers advice on choosing a school, helping your child adjust to a new grade or a new school, helping with homework, making friends, and more. (PBS; commercial site)

Get Ready to Read new - Online screening tool, activities, checklists, and other resources to help your preschooler get ready to learn to read. (National Center for Learning Disabilities)

Helping Your Preschool Child Prepare for School - Suggests activities to help get children from infancy through age five prepared for school (US Department of Education). To help you decide whether your child is ready to start kindergarten, see Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten? (University of Minnesota Extension) and Ready for Kindergarten? (Scholastic Inc., commercial site). For more great tips on helping prepare your young child for school, see Ready Web (University of Illinois), Countdown to Kindergarten [Link opens directly to PDF document], and Ten Ways to Get Ready for Kindergarten [Link opens directly to PDF document]; also available in Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages. (Boston Public Schools).

Learn to Read interactive - Free materials designed to inspire a love of reading and writing. Useful for Pre-Kindergarten through second grade; suitable for home-schooling. Best viewed with a broadband (cable or DSL) internet connection. (Starfall.com)

Moving and Learning - Articles on physical activity to promote social, emotional and cognitive development in kids from birth to age 8. (By Rae Pica, children's physical activity specialist)

Mr. Rogers' Parenting Topics - The late Fred Rogers ('Mr. Rogers') offers advice to parents on helping young children deal with topics such as anger, bedtime, fear, potty training, self-esteem, sharing, and more. (Family Communications, Inc.)

Parent Talk - Brief tips on a wide range of topics for parents of newborns, infants, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as older kids. Author credentials are provided at the end of each article. (National Parenting Center)

PBS Parents interactive - Online guides offering advice on child development, media, creativity, school, and more, from birth through early school years, plus 'fun & games' and other resources for parents. (PBS; commercial site)

Practical Money Skills for Young Children - Downloadable materials to help teach children in preschool through grade 2 how to handle money. Also offers materials for kids in grades 3 to 6. Free registration required. (Visa Inc.)

Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center interactive - Learn what you need to know to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. (March of Dimes)

Pregnancy and Newborn Loss - Advice and resources for grieving parents and their friends & family members. (March of Dimes)

Ready For Life - Videos and other materials offering advice to help parents and caregivers raise children who are socially & emotionally healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life. (KERA, North Texas Public Broadcasting et al.)

Sleep new - Brief guidelines and sleep tips to help your child get a good night's sleep. Covers different age groups from newborn to age 12 (National Sleep Foundation). See also Children's Health: Sleep Issues audio (American Academy of Pediatrics) and Safe Sleep for your Baby (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Tips on Toys - Advice on choosing safe toys for children from one month to twelve years. (Virginia Cooperative Extension). For more on Toys, see the Toys, Games, & Parties section of this page

Zero-To-Three - Tips for parents of babies and toddlers, covering a wide range of topics. (National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families)

Pre-teens and Teens

Parents! Check out our TEEN ZONE page to find great sites for teens!

Body Image and Your Kids - Advice to help you be a good role model, and lessen the risk of your child developing an unhealthy body image, unhealthy eating habits, or eating disorders (National Women's Health Information Center). School Library Journal offers Recommended Reading about body image for kids in grades 5 and up; includes fiction and non-fiction. See also Media Stereotyping (from Media Awareness Network, described in the Media section below) and Ten Things You Can Do (About-Face / Agape Foundation).

Kids'Health - Doctor-approved health and parenting information, covering pregnancy through adolescence. (Nemours Foundation Center for Children's Health Media).

Menstruation Q & A - Answers to questions young girls often have about menstruation. (Commercial site: Kotex)

Parent Talk - Brief tips on a wide range of topics for parents of pre-teens and teens. (National Parenting Center)

Parents' Sex Ed Center - Advice on how to establish positive communication with your children to help them make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Also explains 'What You Need to Know' about children's growth and development at different ages from toddler to young adult (Nonprofit site: Advocates for Youth). See also Families are Talking (SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States) and Planned Parenthood's Tools for Parents new .

Parents: The Anti-Drug - A wealth of information and advice to help you keep your kids away from drugs. In English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino (National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign). See also Family Guide: Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug-Free (SAMSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Practical Money Skills for Teens - Materials to help teach children in grades 7-12 how to handle money responsibly. There is also a section for college students. Free registration required. (Visa Inc.)

Teens Think What?! - 'Teens are at the highest risk for sexual violence, and one in four girls and one in six guys will be victimized by age 18.' This site explains more about the issues and offers tips on how you can help your child understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. There is a companion site aimed directly at teens. (Pennsyvania Coalition Against Rape)

Special Needs Children

Children with Disabilities - Fact sheets on a variety of specific disabilities, each with a brief description of the disability and tips for parents and teachers. Additional resources are available on NICHCY's Family & Community Resource page new . (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities; formerly National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities)

Children with Special Health Care Needs new - Helpful advice and resources for parents of children with special health care needs. Covers home care, school, travel, and more. See also Genetics & Birth Defects. (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Deafness Information - Information related to deaf and hard of hearing children from birth through age 21. Covers the following topics: Babies (0 to 3), Children (3 to 21), Transition to Adulthood, Hearing Loss Information, Language & Literacy, Hearing & Communication Technology, Laws, and Resources. (Gallaudet University)

Developmental Disabilities new - Information about a range of developmental disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, vision impairment, and intellectual disability. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)

Disabilities & Education Topics new - Links to disability and education websites, arranged by topic. Covers disability law, special education, assistive technology, and more, as well as more than a dozen specific disabilities. (Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers)

Disability Links - Selected links to websites offering resources for people with disabilities, and for their families. (South Plainfield Public Library)

Early Childhood Connection new - Online semi-annual newsletter offering information and resources for parents of young children with disabilities. (PACER Center & U.S. Department of Education)

Families with Special Needs: Caregiving Tips new - 'Whether your family member with special needs is a child or an adult, combining personal, caregiving, and everyday needs can be challenging.' This page offers 'general caregiving tips and links to information on specific health topics to help you and those you care for stay safe and healthy.' (U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)

Family Village (Disabilities) - Information and resources for persons with cognitive and other disabilities and for their families (University of Wisconsin).

FamilyConnect™ new - Advice and resources for parents of children with visual impairments. (American Foundation for the Blind)

Get Ready to Read - Online screening tool, activities, checklists, and other resources to help your preschooler get ready to learn to read. (National Center for Learning Disabilities)

Learning Disabilities - Selected links to websites offering information, support, and resources for parents of children with learning disabilities. (South Plainfield Public Library)

N.J. Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) new - Provides support, assistance, and information for New Jersey parents of children with developmental delays, disabilities, and special health needs. Hosts a Parent Training and Information Center for Parents of Children with Special Education Needs, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Online resources include a Basic Rights in Special Education Manual for parents. (Non-profit organization)

Special Education - Free online primer on parenting a child with special needs. 'If you think your child may have a disability, this site will guide you to resources which can help find out whether this is true. If you know your child has a disability, there are lots of resources here that can help you make sure that your child gets the most out of school and life.' (Non-profit site: Teachers & Families / Network for Instructional TV, Inc.)

Summer Camp for Children with Special Needs new - Lists both online and print resources to help you choose a suitable summer camp for your special child. (National Center on Physical Activity and Disability)

Toys for Children with Special Needs - A guide created to help parents, friends, relatives or caregivers select appropriate toys for a child with special needs, such as physical/ hearing/ vision impairments, or developmental disabilities (American Foundation for the Blind). See also AblePlay™ (National Lekotek Center).

Media & Entertainment (Books, Movies, Video Games, Internet, etc.)

NOVELIST K-8 PLUS is a great online resource for helping parents and kids find that next great fiction read. NoveList K-8 Plus also provides access to thousands of nonfiction titles designed to support the curriculum and kids' pleasure reading. Created especially for kids, it has a colorful, graphic-rich homepage and is very easy to use. Hundreds of hand-crafted Recommended Reads reading lists created for teens and kids will excite even the most reluctant of readers. NOTE: You'll need to enter your South Plainfield Public Library card barcode number to start.

Children's Books - South Plainfield Public Library's selected links to great kids' book websites.

Common Sense Media - An excellent and easy-to-use website for parents, offering capsule evaluations of movies, TV shows, music, games, websites, and books. Appropriate age group is given for each title, with ratings for message, violence, language, and sex. (Nonprofit organization)

Computer Slang: Leetspeak - Aimed at helping parents understand how kids are communicating online, this article explains Leetspeak, 'a specific type of computer slang in which a user replaces regular letters with other keyboard characters to form words phonetically.' (Microsoft). Internet Acronyms is a handy reference guide to acronyms such as LOL, OTT, and IMO, which are commonly used in internet chat rooms and discussion forums (commercial site). You can use the Transl8it! site to translate SMS, text, emoticon, smiley, slang or chat room lingo into plain english, or vice versa. See also Totally Wired Parenting (by author Anastasia Goodstein). Parents who want to know more about their kids' use of cell phones and text-messaging should read Text messaging (SMS) safety (by Wired Safety, a non-profit/volunteer organization) and Cell Phone Safety Tips (PTA).

Educational Media for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers - This report evaluates educational claims made about commercially available educational videos and DVDs, computer software, and video games for very young children. PDF format. (©2005, Kaiser Family Foundation)

ESRB Guide to Interactive Entertainment - Ratings and content information for Video Games. (Entertainment Software Association)

FCC Parents' Place - Information to help parents understand and control their children's use of TV, cable, internet, and telephone. (Federal Communications Commission)

Growing Up Online - This 2008 Frontline documentary 'takes viewers inside the very public private worlds that kids are creating online, raising important questions about how the Internet is transforming childhood.' You can watch the entire program online or read the accompanying interviews and other materials (PBS). See also Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-olds new , a national survey that examined the media use of 3rd through 12th graders found that they are spending an increasing amount of time using 'new media' like computers, the Internet and video games, without cutting back on 'old media' like television and music (©2005, Kaiser Family Foundation).

Internet 101 for Parents - A quick overview for parents about web sites, e-mail, instant messageing, chat rooms, blogging, file sharing and cell phones. Part of the Be Web Aware site, which also describes a variety of internet-related risks such as cyber-bullying, online predators, internet addiction, and more, plus online safety tips by age group. NOTE: some information is specific to Canada (Media Awareness Network, a Canadian non-profit organization)

Kids & Nature - An interview with journalist & author Richard Louv about the need to get kids away from the TV and computer, and get them outdoors to experience the natural world (Grist Magazine).

Kids & Popular Culture - Reviews of popular children's films, books, TV shows, videos, video games, and Internet sites, by members of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Kids' Privacy - Practical tips for parents on protecting kids' privacy online. (Federal Trade Commission)

Library Service for Blind & Physically Handicapped Kids - Audio, braille, and print/braille books and magazines for preschool through grade 8. Materials and equipment are sent to eligible readers free of charge (National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped [NLS]). See also Described & Captioned Media Program (U.S. Department of Education & National Association of the Deaf).

Media Awareness for Parents - Resources for learning 'how to talk to your kids about media, gain control of the home entertainment playground, and speak out as a consumer.' The Media Issues section covers media violence, media stereotyping (girls and women, men and masculinity, minorities, gays & lesbians, persons with disabilities, and others) and online hate materials. NOTE: some information is specific to Canada (Media Awareness Network, a Canadian non-profit organization).

MediaWise Facts & Tips - Information on children and television, computers, video games, internet, music, and advertising, and advice to help maximize the benefits and minimize the harm of media on children and families. Free registration is required for full access. (National Institute on Media and the Family)

Media Guidelines for Parents - Advice for parents on monitoring children's use of media. (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Movie Mom - Reviews of recent movies and DVDs, with information on violence, profanity, nudity, sex, alcohol/drug abuse, and diversity/tolerance issues for each film. By Nell Minow, a columnist for Child magazine. (Commercial site: BeliefNet.com)

NetSmartz video - Interactive site using age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach kids & teens how to stay safer on the Internet. Includes a separate section for parents (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® and Boys & Girls Clubs of America). GetNetWise offers online safety tools and tips for parents and kids, 'to help ensure that families have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences.' (From a coalition of major technology companies and organizations). For additional resources on this subject, see COMPUTERS: Protecting Yourself & Your Family (South Plainfield Public Library).

Parents' Choice Foundation - 'The nation's oldest not-for-profit evaluator of children's books, videos, toys, audios, computer software, television, and magazines,' provides parents with recommendations on 'fairly priced products that are fun, safe and socially sound.' If you are looking for information about a specific product, click on the 'Product Finder' icon. Parents' Choice also offers an email newsletter.

Smart & Healthy Video Games - Transcript of a live chat with gaming experts Dr. Kurt Squire (assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Ben Sawyer (president of Digitalmill). Discusses the pluses and minuses of video games, with practical advice for parents. (Connect For Kids, commercial site)

Television: Positive Actions for Parents - Suggests ways you can help your child develop positive TV viewing habits (American Academy of Pediatrics). See also Children and TV (University of Michigan Health System) and The Stranger in Your Child's Life (by Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller, a therapist and a former classroom teacher).

Video Games and Children - Advice for parents about selecting video games for children. (Child Development Institute / Psychologist Robert F. Myers, Ph.D.; commercial site.)

Violence in the Media - An overview of how violence on television affects kids. See also Media Violence & Children (American Psychological Association).

Violent Video Games - Myths and facts about the effects of violent video games on children. (American Psychological Association)

TOYS, GAMES & PARTIES, and MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

For resources on kids' sports and coaching, see our SPORTS page.

Let's Party - A guide to drug-free parties for 5th - 8th graders. Offers recommendations for parents on what to do when your child hosts a party or attends one, plus ideas for party food and games. (University of Illinois Extension)

Music Room - Musical ideas, games and other activities for every age, advice on buying an instrument, choosing a teacher, & dealing with practicing, plus other helpful music-related resources for parents (BBC). See our Arts & Entertainment page for additional resources on musical instruments.

Party Game Ideas - This website describes a wide assortment of simple, fun games for both adults and children's parties, including suggestions for birthdays, showers, and holidays. (Commercial site)

Prom Spot - Information and advice to help keep parents sane and teens safe & happy during prom season. Covers setting limits, chaperoning, budget, clothes, dates, and more. See also Prom Resources. (Commercial sites)

Tips on Toys - Advice on choosing safe toys for children from one month to twelve years. (Virginia Cooperative Extension).

Toys : HealthyStuff.org - Information on toxic chemicals in toys, including test results for more than 1,200 toys and other children's products such as car seats and backpacks. Each product tested has an overall rating for 'level of concern', as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic and mercury content. Includes a related page about Toy Safety. Products are tested only for hazardous chemical content, not for other possible hazards. (Ecology Center)

Trampolines - Injury facts and safety tips. (Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care & Cure)

Child Safety & Health

Amber Alert N.J. - Part of the national Amber Alert System which issues an emergency alert to the public when a child has been abducted and it is believed that the child's life is in grave danger. If you believe your child is missing, see National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Baby-proofing Your Home - Simple safety checks to help eliminate hazards to your baby inside your home (National Safety Council). See also Baby Products Guide, described above.

Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2009 - Advice on choosing and using car seats, with helpful charts and illustrations, plus phone numbers and links to manufacturers (American Academy of Pediatrics). See also Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings and Locate a Child Seat Fitting Station (US Department of Transportation). See also Child Transportation Safety, described below.

Child Health Advice - Guidelines 'to help you determine how sick your child is and if you need to call your child's doctor... [and] to help you treat your child at home when it is safe to do so.' (Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle). See also Kids' Health, described below.

ChildHelp USA® - Tips, brief articles, video, links, and other resources on recognizing and preventing child abuse. For additional information, see Medline's Child Abuse Resources page.

Child Safety - Helpful advice on keeping your kids safe at school, on the playground, when biking or playing sports, and more. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Child Safety & Injury Prevention - More on how to prevent all kinds of childhood accidents and injuries. For first aid and additional tips on dealing with injuries and poisonings, see Common Childhood Injuries and Poisonings (Medical University of South Carolina). See also Injury Prevention new (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh).

Child Safety on Wheels [UPDATED LINK!] - Brief tips on avoiding injuries when bicycling, rollerblading, skateboarding and riding a scooter. (Canada Safety Council)

Child Transportation Safety - Advice on choosing and using car seats, as well as pedestrian safety, school bus safety, and more. See also Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2009, described above.

Child Traumatic Stress - Resources for parents and other caregivers on understanding and coping with childhood traumas.

Childwatch of North America - A nationwide nonprofit missing children's organization provides a variety of free services to parents. The website displays pictures of missing children, and offers photo / fingerprint ID cards.

CyberBullying - 'Cyberbullying is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.' This site offers information and advice to kids (by age group), parents, educators, and law enforcement officers on how to recognize, prevent, and deal with cyberbullying. (Wired Safety, a non-profit/volunteer organization)

Family Health & Safety - Information for parents, kids, teens and college students on how to stay safe and healthy throughout the year, with special tips for different occasions and seasons, including prom, spring break, Halloween, camping trips, and more; select from left-hand menu. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

First Aid & Safety - A parents' guide to emergency treatments for everything from allergic reactions and animal bites to nosebleeds and broken bones. Includes printable instruction sheets for a variety of common first aid situations (Nemours Foundation). You may want to buy a printed First Aid guide from the Red Cross to keep handy for emergencies. See also assembling a first aid kit (Medline), and First Aid Resources (National Safety Council).

Insure Kids Now! - Information on free or low-cost health insurance programs available for children whose parents cannot afford to buy insurance for them. You can also call 1-877-543-7669 (toll-free) for more information (US Department of Health & Human Services). In New Jersey, see NJ Family Care.

Kids' Health - Doctor-approved information for parents, covering general health, infections, emotions & behavior, growth & development, nutrition & fitness, pregnancy & newborns, medical problems, positive parenting, first aid & safety, medications, and more (Nemours Foundation Center for Children's Health Media). See also Child Health Library new (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh).

KidsPeace - Resources to help you help your child cope with war, bullies, grief, disaster, violence, and more. (A private, non-profit treatment & education service)

National Runaway Switchboard - Assistance for parents of runaways.

Pediatrics: Parenting Corner - A large collection of articles, checklists, fact sheets, one-minute radio segments, and other resources to help you keep your child healthy and safe (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Shopping Cart Safety [OPENS DIRECTLY INTO A PDF DOCUMENT] - In 2005, more than 24,000 children were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for shopping cart-related injuries. This publication offers practical tips to help keep your child safe while shopping and/or using a shopping cart. (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Sleep - Brief guidelines and sleep tips to help your child get a good night's sleep. Covers different age groups from newborn to age 12 (National Sleep Foundation). See also Children's Health: Sleep Issues audio (American Academy of Pediatrics) and Safe Sleep for your Baby (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Trampolines - Injury facts and safety tips. (Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care & Cure)

We Can!™: Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition new - A national program designed for families and communities to help children maintain a healthy weight. The program focuses on improved food choices, increased physical activity and reduced screen time.