Parenting & Family

General Parenting & Family Information

Need help? Start here : call 211 Call 2-1-1 when you need to find state or local resources to address urgent needs or everyday concerns, including health & mental health services, food banks, shelter, rental or utility assistance, adult day care, Meals on Wheels, transportation, childcare, crisis intervention services, job training, education, and more. 2-1-1 is free, confidential, multi-lingual, confidential, TTY accessible, and available 24/7 2-1-1 resource specialists will guide callers to the most helpful available resources. Visit the website for more information. You can also reach 2-1-1 by dialing 877-652-1148. (United Way, in partnership with the State of New Jersey) NOTE : 2-1-1 calls are generally toll-free; however, if you are calling 2-1-1 from your cell phone, please check with your cell phone service provider first to find out whether you will be charged for the call.

UNIVERSAL CLASS offers free online non-credit courses in Parenting Skills, Pregnancy, Birth, Senior Care, and many other subjects. Courses are accessible 24/7 via the Internet. You will have up to 6 months to finish each course, and each course has a real instructor you can communicate with by email! If you're logging on at home, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN to get started. NOTE : Once you have registered on the site, you can go directly to the Login page.

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 U.S. 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' (site includes advertisements). The FamilyEducation.com Activities Center is a searchable collection of fun family activities - indoors, outdoors, traveling, seasonal, holiday, educational, and more (Pearson Education; site includes advertisements). See also Toys, Games, Parties, and Musical Instruments, below.

After a Disaster [UPDATED LINK!] - Advice on what to do after floods, hurricanes, winter storms blackouts, and other disasters. Covers food safety, water treatment, thawing frozen pipes, cleaning, and more. If you have been affected by a disaster, Safe & Well List provides a way for you to register yourself as 'safe and well.' If you are concerned about loved ones in a disaster area, you can search the list of those who have registered themselves as 'safe and well.' For what to do before disaster hits, see Disaster Preparedness and Prepare Your Home & Family [UPDATED LINK!] (American Red Cross; non-profit organization), Ready NJ (New Jersey Office of Emergency Management), and Prepare for Severe Weather (USA.gov). For information specific to floods, Flooding gives advice on dealing with drinking water & food, mold, private wells & septic systems, and related subjects (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). See also FloodSmart (FEMA), and Floods : What You Should Know (U.S. Centers for Disease Control). For information on protecting important financial documents, filing insurance claims, applying for private or government assistance, tax relief, and related topics, see Smart About Money : Natural Disasters and other Crises & Emergencies (National Endowment for Financial Education; non-profit organization). For resources to help children cope with childhood traumas, see Child Traumatic Stress links, below.

Afterschool Learning Resources - An extensive collection of learning materials 'created by experts to be fun, educational, and easy to use outside of school.' Organized by grade level (International Reading Association and National Council of Teachers of English). See also EDUCATION : Teachers, Parents & Homeschoolers - Resources.

Afterschool Programs - 'There are many different types of afterschool programs. Some are small programs that focus on a special set of activities, like sports, drama or tutoring. Others are larger with a wide range of activities. Some are in your child's school. Others are in out of school locations like, Boys and Girls Clubs, YWCAs or community centers. How do you select the best program for your child and your family?' This site offers advice for parents on how to choose an afterschool program. (New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition)

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). Back to School offers brief, helpful information for parents at the start of the school year, covering check-ups & immunizations, nutrition, homework help, financial assistance, plus links to related resources (USA.gov). See also Back to School Health & Safety Tips, School Tips: Ages 5-12, School Tips: Ages 12 - 18 (American Academy of Pediatrics), Back-to-School Central (PTA), Going to School (PBS Parents), and Childhood Student Emergencies : Prepare Now.

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 topic index to find a specific topic. (Tufts University)

Child Abuse : ChildHelp USA® [UPDATED LINK!] - Tips, brief articles, video, links, and other resources on recognizing and preventing child abuse (non-profit organization). For additional information, see Medline's Child Abuse Resources page (U.S. National Library of Medicine).

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

Children, Teens, and Resiliency - 'For parents and anyone that cares about children, it's important to understand the stresses they face and help them learn to cope and adjust successfully. Children need to tap into their strengths, acquire skills to cope, recover from adversity and prepare for future challenges. Through this site, we hope to reinforce the best parenting approaches you already use and help you support children in ways that will make them stronger, happier and more resilient.' (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Child Trends Databank - 'One-stop source for the latest national trends and research on over 100 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). Highlights for Children surveyed thousands of its young readers to produce the State of the Kid report, a survey that explores 'what it's like being a kid' today.

Child Traumatic Stress - See links for coping with childhood traumas, below.

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), What are your Kids Learning about Money Online? (Common Sense Media), and Media Smarts : Marketing & Consumerism new (Media Smarts; Canadian non-profit organization).

Coping Support for Brothers and Sisters of Very Sick Children - Resources to help children if they have a brother or sister who is very sick or dying. (University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics)

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 Topics (Parent Teacher Association), and Articles for Parents (American School Counselor Association).

Families and Parenting 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).

Family Education - Practical guidance and grade-specific information for parents about children's school experience, plus strategies to get involved with your children's learning, as well as fun & entertaining family activities. (Pearson Education; site includes advertisement)

Family Meals - Explains why it is important for families to eat together regularly, with tips on how to make the most of family meals (KidsPeace, a private, non-profit treatment & education service). See also Family Style Dining; use the left-hand menu to choose related topics (KERA, North Texas Public Broadcasting) and What Kids Learn During Dinner (University of California; site includes advertisements).

Family Services Hotlines - A list of toll-free phone numbers for families needing assistance in N.J., including hotlines for food stamps, family violence, energy assistance, child care, child support, and other programs. See also NJ Helps (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). You can also telephone 2-1-1 for help finding state or local health and human service resources in New Jersey, to address urgent needs or everyday concerns (Free; Confidential; Multi-lingual; TTY accessible; Available 24/7).

Family Works - 'Strategies for building stronger families.' Includes advice on respect, anger, stress, values, discipline, responsibility, conflict, 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).

Gifted Children - News and views from publisher Prufrock Press, for parents & teachers of gifted, advanced, and special needs students. See also Gifted & Talented links (South Plainfield Public Library).

Good Manners - Advice and resources to help you teach your kids, from toddlers to teens, the basics of good manners (Emily Post Institute; site includes advertisements).

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

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).

KidLaw (N.J.) - Legal Resource Center offering news, documents, and discussion on laws affecting minors. (Association for Children of New Jersey)

Law and Your Family : ABA Guide to Family Law - Online book (PDFs) providing information on family issues including living together, marriage, children, divorce, child custody & support, and domestic violence. A related section, Law Issues for Consumers offers additional information on wills & estates, child custody & support, and domestic violence (American Bar Association; site includes advertisements). See also New Jersey Law : Family & Relationships (Legal Services of N.J.) and Divorce & Family Law (Nolo Press; site includes advertisements).

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

Military Youth on the Move - 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 N.J. - 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 experts on topics related to pregnancy, newborn, infancy, toddler, pre-school, preteen, and adolescence, or use the search box to find articles on a specific topic. (site includes advertisements)

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. See also N.J. Department of Human Services : Family Programs new . You can also telephone 2-1-1 for help finding state or local health and human service resources in New Jersey, to address urgent needs or everyday concerns (Free; Confidential; Multi-lingual; TTY accessible; Available 24/7).

Parent Further - Facts & tips for parents on everyday parenting issues, discipline & values, time together, technology & media, and high-risk behavior. Also offers advice on parenting children at different ages, and additional resources. (Search Institute®; nonprofit organization)

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

Parenting Priorities - 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 of N.J. - 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. Affiliated with the national Parents Anonymous® organization.

Solutions for Your Life : Children - 'Resources and information related to children's health, behavior, time management, and other topics important to families.' (University of Florida Extension)

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 Programs & Camps (These sites include advertisements).

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). Time to Talk offers an online 'kit' to guide you through talking with your kids about the risks of drugs and alcohol; includes materials for different ages from pre-school through young adult (Partnership for a Drug-Free America; non-profit organization).

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

WINGS for Kids : DIY Social Emotional Learning Kit - 'Does your child need to learn how to handle stress? Could they use help expressing emotions constructively? The Ready, Set, Soar with SEL kit was specially designed for parents/guardians, educators, youth development leaders and others who want to incorporate social & emotional development activities, lessons and plans into kids' daily lives.' Free registration required. (WINGS for Kids, Inc.; non-profit organization)

Babies, Toddlers, Pre-schoolers, 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). Get Ready to Read offers free online materials for parents and educators to help pre-schoolers get ready to learn to read. Includes a screening tool, activities, checklists, video, advocacy guides, and related resources (National Center for Learning Disabilities et al.). See also Every Child Ready to Read (San Francisco Public Library) and Leading to Reading (Reading Is Fundamental; non-profit organization).

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 (site includes advertisements). On Baby Names World you can search hundreds of baby names by country of origin or browse alphabetically; includes meanings of each name (site includes advertisements). First Names and their Origins briefly gives the meaning and origin of names from many different cultures (answers.com; site includes advertisements). See also Popular Baby Names (Social Security Administration) for current and historical statistics on the popularity of different first names in the U.S.

Baby Products Guide - Helpful shopping and safety tips for car seats, strollers, cribs, changing tables, play pens, clothing, bathtubs and more (March of Dimes & Consumer Reports). See also Children's Products and Related Hazards new (Kids In Danger; non-profit organization), Consumer Reports Babies & Kids News, Garage Sales : Deal or Danger?, Flame Retardants and Strollers, below.

Baby-proofing Your Home [Link opens a PDF] - Simple safety checks to help eliminate hazards to your baby inside your home (National Safety Council). See also Childproofing Your Home new ; includes links to home safety checklists and home safety tips for different age groups (Safe Kids USA; a nationwide network of child safety groups; non-profit organization).

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

Building Blocks : Family - Advice on teaching preschoolers how to make positive, healthy choices. Building Blocks is based on six action steps that can help protect young children from developing risky behaviors : Good Talking / Good Listening, Time With Your Kids, Living With Rules, Walking the Walk, Kids With Kids (making friends), Show & Tell, and Family Activities (Substance Abuse & Mental health Services Administration). See also Helping Your Child Learn Responsible Behavior (University of Illinois Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative).

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

Early Childhood Education : A Guide for Families new - Outlines 10 standards for early childhood programs that can help you make the right choice when you look for a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten for your child. The website also includes articles offering helpful Advice for Families with young children. (National Association for the Education of Young Children; non-profit organization)

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; site includes advertisements). See also Back-to-School Transitions and related links, above.

Helping Your Pre-school Child Prepare for School - Suggests activities to help get children from infancy through age five prepared for school (U.S. 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.; site includes advertisements). For more great tips on helping prepare your young child for school, see Ready Web (University of Illinois), Countdown to Kindergarten [Link opens a PDF], and Ten Ways to Get Ready for Kindergarten [Link opens a PDF]; also available in Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages. (Boston Public Schools; some materials are for Boston only).

Highlights : Parents - An assortment of activities for parents & kids (pre-K through grade 6) to do together, including conversation starters & explorations, crafts, quizzes, and recipes. Everyday Dilemmas and other sections of the site provide additional parenting advice. (©Highlights Magazines for Children; site includes advertisements)

How to Cope with A Crying Baby [UPDATED LINK!] - 'It's normal for babies to cry, even when you are trying to comfort them. Some babies cry more than others or for longer periods of time. This is normal too. It is also normal for a caregiver to become frustrated. No matter how stressed, tired, angry or frustrated you feel, you must never, ever shake a baby. Shaking a baby can kill or cause serious injuries.' This website offers advice on safely coping with a crying baby, and information about where to get help if you need it (N.J. Department of Children & Families). See also Parents Anonymous of N.J., above.

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 bedtime, fears, using the toilet, making friends, setting limits, going to doctors & dentists, and more. (Family Communications, Inc.)

N.J. Parent Link - Links to a wealth of information for parents of young children about Health & Wellness before, during & after pregnancy; Developmental & Behavioral Health; Parenting & Early Learning; Career & Family Transitions; Child Care & Family Leave; and Family Support Services. Information comes from state services and resources, as well as federal, nationally-respected and community partner resources. (N.J. Department of Health & Senior Services et al.)

New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act - This state law allows an individual to give up an unwanted infant safely, legally and anonymously. The parents - or someone acting on their behalf - can bring a baby less than 30 days old to any hospital emergency room or police station. This website answers common questions about the program; you can also call the Safe Haven Hotline at 1-877-839-2339 for more information (N.J. Department of Children & Families). See also Parents Anonymous of N.J., above.

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. A related site, A Place of Our Own, offers additional resources for parents and others who care for young children. (PBS; site includes advertisements)

Practical Money Skills for Young Children - Downloadable materials to help teach children in pre-school through grade 2 how to handle money. Also offers materials for kids in grades 3 to 6. FREE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. (Visa Inc.)

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

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)

Sleep - Brief tips on helping your child get a good night's sleep. Covers different age groups from newborn to age 12 (National Sleep Foundation; site includes advertisements). For babies, see Children's Health : Babies : Sleep Issues & A Parent's Guide to Safe Sleep for Babies (2012, American Academy of Pediatrics), and Safe Sleep for your Baby (2012, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Talk, Read, Play - Information about development in young children, along with suggested activities that will help your child thrive in school and in life; arranged by age group (0-15 Months, 15-36 Months, 3-4 Years, Kindergarten). (Boston MA Public Schools)

Tips on Toys - Advice on choosing safe toys for children from one month to twelve years. (2009, Virginia Cooperative Extension). For more on Toys, see the Toys, Games, Parties, and Musical Instruments section of this page.

Zero-To-Three - Tips for parents of babies and toddlers, covering a wide range of topics. Now includes a podcast series, Little Kids, Big Questions ; each podcast features an interview with an expert that focuses on how to apply the research of early childhood development to your daily interactions with your baby or toddler. (National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families)

Pre-teens and Teens

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

Adolescent Literacy - 'Research-based and best-practice information for educators, parents, and others interested in helping young people become better readers and writers.' For parents and teachers of kids in grades 4 - 12. (WETA public television and radio station)

Body Image and Your Kids [UPDATED LINK!] - 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 some Recommended Reading about Body Image for kids in grades 5 and up; includes fiction and non-fiction. There is also a related page of links to Body Image websites, created in 2005; expect a few broken links. For more books on this subject, see Weighty Matters (2010, School Library Journal; site includes advertisements). See also Media Smarts : Body Image [UPDATED LINK!] (from Canada's Media Smarts [formerly Media Awareness Network], described in the Media section below), CMCH Mentors : Body Image (2008, Children's Hospital Boston), and Ten Things You Can Do (About-Face / Agape Foundation).

Kids' Health / Teens' 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. (Site includes advertisements : Kotex)

Navigating the Teen Years : A Parent's Handbook for Raising Healthy Teens - Tips and checklists to increase awareness and help parents guide their teens to a healthy life. Discusses setting expectations and rules, monitoring teens, and being a good role model to prevent problems such as alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use. You can download the PDF booklet free, or have a printed copy mailed to you (shipping charges may apply). Scroll down the page for a list of related publications (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration). See also Tips for Parents with Teenagers new ; site may be slow to load and navigate (National Runaway Switchboard; non-profit organization).

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 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.

Parents : The Anti-Drug - A wealth of information and advice to help you keep your kids away from drugs. Includes an extensive section on Teens & Technology. In English and Spanish. Need immediate help? Call 1-800-662-HELP. (National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign)

Practical Money Skills for Teens [UPDATED LINKS!] - Materials to help teach students in grades 9-12 how to handle money responsibly. There are also sections for Grades 7-8 and College Students. FREE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. (Visa Inc.)

Teen Driver Safety - 'Experts believe parents play a key role in preventing teen car crashes and deaths.' This site offers advice to parents on how to help teens drive safely (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control). See also Teen Drivers : Parents & Teens, Teen Driver Safety, and Teens and Distracted Driving (Texting and Driving) (U.S. Department of Transportation).

Teens and Sleep - Information about the sleep needs of teens, and advice on how teens get a better night's sleep. See also Sleep and Teens Q & A (National Sleep Foundation). See also Teen Sleep Patterns [Link opens an MP3 audio file] (American Academy of Pediatrics), and Why is Your Teen So Tired? (Mayo Clinic).

Teens Think What?! [UPDATED LINK!] - '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)

Troubled Teens : Private Residential Treatment Q & A - 'If you are a parent or guardian and think you have exhausted intervention alternatives for a troubled teen, you may be considering a private residential treatment program... Here are some questions to ask representatives of any program you may be considering.' (Federal Trade Commission)

Troubling Teen Trends - 'A roundup of 10 troublesome trends, some old and some new, that your teen may be exposed to this school year.' (Consumer Reports; last reviewed August 2010 )

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. (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities; funded by the U.S. Department of Education)

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 - 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). See also HealthyChildren.org : Developmental Disabilities articles (American Academy of Pediatrics).

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

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

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

Emergency Preparedness for Children with Special Health Care Needs new - Sample and blank Emergency Information Forms, plus instructions for parents on using them. See also Children & Adolescents with Chronic Conditions new and My child has a chronic health condition. What do I need to tell the school? new . (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Families with Special Needs : Caregiving Tips - '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. This site is not updated frequently, so expect some broken links. (University of Wisconsin)

FamilyConnect™ : Visual Impairments - Advice and resources for parents of children with visual impairments. (American Foundation for the Blind and National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments)

Get Ready to Read - Online screening tool, activities, checklists, and other resources to help your pre-schooler 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)

Library Service for Blind & Physically Handicapped Kids - Audio, braille, and print/braille books and magazines for pre-school 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).

My Child Without Limits - 'Are you worried that your child isn't developing like other children? Has your child been diagnosed with a developmental delay or disability?' This site offers information, advice, and support for families of young children ages 0-5 with developmental delays or disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, down syndromw, epilepsy, hearing or vision loss, muscular dystrophy, and spina bifida. (United Cerebral Palsy)

N.J. Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) - Provides support, assistance, and information for New Jersey parents of children with developmental delays, disabilities, and special health needs. SPAN 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.)

Stuttering Facts & Information - Information, advice, and other resources on stuttering, for parents, kids, teens, teachers, doctors, employers, adult stutterers, and others. (Stuttering Foundation of America)

Summer Camp for Children with Special Needs - 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, TV, Movies, Internet, Video Games, 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 : If you're using NoveList at home, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN to start.

Be Web Aware - Information to help parents ensure that their children make safe and wise online decisions. Covers e-mail, instant messaging, social networking, blogging, virtual worlds, file sharing, cell phones, cyber-bullying, online predators, internet addiction, and more. Also includes online safety tips by age group (from Canada's Media Smarts [formerly Media Awareness Network]; non-profit organization). NOTE : some information is specific to Canada.

Center on Media and Child Health - Information about the effects of media on the physical, mental, and social health of children, and advice for families on using media in a healthy way. (Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard University)

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

Children, Health, and the Media - 'A series of reports and fact sheets on topics related to children, media, and health that pull together the most relevant research on such issues as TV violence, teens online, media ratings, and children and video games.' See also Generation M2 : Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds. (Kaiser Family Foundation)

Common Sense Media - An easy-to-use website for parents, offering capsule evaluations of movies, TV shows, music, games, websites, and books, with ratings for message, violence, language, and sex. Choose an age group from the drop-down menu, or scroll down the page to browse. Also offers advice for parents on media issues (commercialism, body image, internet safety, sex & violence, etc.) as well as tools for educators. (Nonprofit organization)

Computer Slang : Leetspeak - A brief explanation and conversion tool for Leetspeak, 'communications where a user replaces letters for numbers or other characters.' (Computer Hope; site includes advertisements). Internet Acronyms is a handy reference guide to acronyms such as LOL, GGN, and IMO, which are commonly used in internet chat rooms and discussion forums (site includes advertisements). You can use the Transl8it! site to translate SMS, text, emoticon, smiley, slang or chat room lingo into plain english, or vice versa (site includes advertisements). Parents who want to know more about their kids' use of cell phones and text-messaging should read Protecting Children from Objectionable Content on Wireless Devices (Federal Communications Commission) and Cell Phone Safety Tips (PTA).

COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY : Protecting Yourself and Your Family - Selected links to the best websites on computer safety, privacy, scams, and more. (South Plainfield Public Library)

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, a national survey on the media use of 3rd through 12th graders, which found that the amount of time young people spend with entertainment media has risen dramatically, especially among minority youth. (©2010, Kaiser Family Foundation).

I Keep Safe : Parents - Resources to help you help your child become a responsible, ethical digital citizen with healthy online relationships. (Internet Keep Safe Coalition; a non-profit alliance)

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; site includes advertisements). See also No More Nature Deficit Disorder (Psychology Today; site includes advertisements) and Getting Kids Back Outdoors (Center for a New American Dream; non-profit organization). Outdoor Activities & Resource Guide new [Link opens a PDF] offers easy, inexpensive activities that can connect children with nature, plus lists of field trips, nature fun facts, and quick nature experiments (NJSACC : The Network for New Jersey's Afterschool Communities ).

Kids' Privacy [UPDATED LINK!] - Practical tips for parents on protecting kids' privacy online, plus Net Cetera, a guide to chatting with your kids about communicating and socializing online, as well as additional tips on Talking to Your Kids, Kids and Mobile Phones, Kids: Texting and Sexting, Kids and Socializing Online, and Cyberbullying. Also offers Info for Kids. (OnGuardOnline.gov, Federal Trade Commission et al.)

Media Guidelines for Parents - Advice for parents on monitoring their children's use of media, including internet, cell phones, TV, social networking, and more. (HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics)

Media Smarts for Parents [UPDATED LINKS!] - Provides adults with 'information and tools so they can help children and teens develop the critical thinking skills they need for interacting with the media they love.' The Media Issues section covers body image, diversity, gender representation, intellectual property, marketing & consumerism, and media violence. The Digital Issues section covers cyberbullying, cyber security, excessive internet use, gambling, online hate, online marketing, pornography, privacy, and sexual exploitation. (Media Smarts [formerly Media Awareness Network], a Canadian non-profit organization) NOTE : some information is specific to Canada.

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. (BeliefNet.com; site includes advertisements)

NetSmartz - Interactive site using age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach kids, 'tweens & 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 & TECHNOLOGY : Protecting Yourself & Your Family (South Plainfield Public Library).

Parent Further : Technology & Media - Facts & tips for parents on online safety, mobile technology, cell phones, social networking, and video games. Formerly MediaWise Facts & Tips. (Search Institute®; nonprofit organization )

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. Includes Parents' Choice Award-Winning Books, quarterly lists of the best kids' books in fiction, non-fiction, 'learning & doing', picture books, and poetry; most with brief reviews; searchable by age group, keywords, product type, and more. Also includes Recommended Children's Magazines and Tips for Teaching Kids to Enjoy Reading. Parents' Choice also offers an email newsletter.

Reduce Screen Time - Explains the whys and hows of reducing the time your kids spend at the computer, watching TV, or even using handheld devices. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Teens & Technology - 'This crash course in the most popular communication tools used by teens today offers guidance and advice to help parents monitor their teen's activities on these devices.' Explores the ways these technologies can be used by teens to abet alcohol & drug use. (National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign)

Television and Your Family : Positive Actions for Parents - Suggests ways you can help your child develop positive TV viewing habits; links to related information may be found in the green box on the right-hand side of the page (HealthyChildren.org, 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).

Violence in the Media - An overview of how violence on television affects kids. See also Media Violence & Children. (2004 - 2006, American Psychological Association)

Violent Video Games - Myths and facts about the effects of violent video games on children (2003). Playing Highly Competitive Video Games May Lead to Aggessive Behavior reviews new research which suggests that competitiveness may be the main video game characteristic that influences aggression (2011). (American Psychological Association)

Toys, Games, Parties, and Musical Instruments

For video games, see Media & Entertainment.

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

ArtsEdge : At Home - Practical advice for parents who want to encourage and support their kids' creativity & knowledge of the arts. (Kennedy Center for the Arts)

Fun & Games for Kids new - A large and varied collection of songs, jokes, riddles, coloring pages, illusions, activities, games and puzzles for kids of all ages. (National Institutes of Health)

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)

Mom's Minivan - Over 101 ideas for fun things for kids to do in the car, kids' travel games, printable car games and activities, and road-trip tips, organized by age group. (By Laurel Smith; site includes advertisements)

Make Music Matter in Your Home : Seven Things You Need to Know about Music Lessons - ''Whether it's your one-year-old's talent for pots and pans percussion or your older kid's giddiness for the guitar that makes you decide to look into music lessons, it's likely you're going to have some questions. These tips will ensure that your child starts off her musical career on the right note.'' Related resources are listed in the righthand menu (Kennedy Center for the Arts). See also Make Music at Home; related resources are listed in the lefthand menu (Youth Music, UK; non-profit organization). For resources on musical instruments, see our Homework Links : ARTS & MUSIC page.

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. (Site includes advertisements)

Prom Resources - Information and advice on your teenager's prom. Covers prom budget, chaperoning, prom night safety, finding the right prom dress, and more. (About.com, The New York Times Company; site includes advertisements)

Tips on Toys - Advice on choosing safe toys for children from one month to twelve years. (2009, 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 (Ecology Center). NOTE : Products are tested only for hazardous chemical content, not for other possible hazards. See also US PIRG's Toy Safety Tips.

Trampolines - Injury facts and safety tips. (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh)

Child Safety & Health

Health Source Consumer Edition Health Source (Consumer Edition) - Access to nearly 80 full text, consumer health magazines, with information on many health topics including the medical sciences, food sciences and nutrition, childcare, sports medicine and general health. If you're logging in from your home, school, or office computer, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode, and PIN to begin. (An EBSCOHost Database)

Health Source (Nursing/Academic Edition) - Nearly 550 scholarly full text journals focusing on many medical disciplines. Health Source : Nursing/Academic Edition also features the Lexi-PAL Drug Guide, which covers 1,300 generic drug patient education sheets with more than 4,700 brand names. If you're logging in from your home, school, or office computer, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode, and PIN to begin. (An EBSCOHost Database)

Salud en Español - Reportes completos basados en evidencias y fichas de datos relacionados a todos los aspectos de la salud y el bienestar. Reportes específicos por tema que cubren todos los aspectos de la salud, dan información general importante en relación a enfermedades, afecciones y procedimientos de diversos tratamientos. Clic el ícono y entre su nombre, código de barras, y número de identificación personal. (Administrado por EBSCOHost)

Facts on File : Health Reference Center - Clear and comprehensive information on conditions and diseases, health and wellness, mental health, and the human body. Focusing on the high school health curriculum, Health Reference Center includes educational videos, color illustrations, and regularly updated health news articles. If you're logging in from your home, school, or office computer, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode, and PIN to begin.

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. See also Amber Alert Resources and U.S. Department of Justice : Missing Children - Related Links. If you believe your child is missing, see National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Baby-proofing Your Home [Link opens a PDF] - Simple safety checks to help eliminate hazards to your baby inside your home (National Safety Council). See also Childproofing Your Home; includes links to home safety checklists and home safety tips for different age groups (Safe Kids USA; a nationwide network of child safety groups; non-profit organization).

Car Safety Seats : A Guide for Families [UPDATED LINK!] - Advice on choosing and using car seats, with helpful charts and illustrations, plus product listings, phone numbers & links to manufacturers and related resources ; updated annually (American Academy of Pediatrics). See also Child Passenger Safety, Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings, and Locate a Child Seat Fitting Station (U.S. Department of Transportation). Hot Car Warning explains why it is never safe to leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for a few minutes, and even if a window is left slightly open (Canada Safety Council).

Child Abuse : ChildHelp USA® - Tips, brief articles, video, links, and other resources on recognizing and preventing child abuse (non-profit organization). For additional information, see Medline's Child Abuse Resources page (U.S. National Library of Medicine).

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). Safety Basics lists 'the top tips every parent needs to keep kids safe. The information is broken down by age and then organized into three categories (at home, at play and on the way).' (Safe Kids USA; non-profit organization). See also Public Safety : Children (Canada Safety Council).

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 Non-Traumatic Emergencies (Medical University of South Carolina). See also First Aid & Safety, below, and Injury Prevention (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh).

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

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) and Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters new (2009, National Institute of Mental Health).

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).

Flame Retardants : Playing with Fire new - 'Flame retardants are found in a variety of household products despite evidence they put people's health at risk. This Chicago Tribune investigation looks at how industry has used deceptive tactics to convince the public they're needed.' (2012, Chicago Tribune newspaper)

Gang-Free Communities - A website where parents can 'learn about gangs and signs of gang activity; sharpen your skills as a parent and use them; and join with others to make or keep your neighborhood gang free.' There is also a toll-free phone number: 1-877-SGU-NJSP. (New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice)

Garage Sales : Deal or Danger? - 'Without knowing it, many people purchase or sell dangerous and recalled items at their resale shops or garage sales... The next time you go bargain hunting, be sure to watch for these potential dangers.' (Children's Hospital and Health System, Milwaukee, WI). See also Safety First for Second-hand Products (SafetyXChange; Bongarde Media).

HealthyStuff.org - Information on toxic chemicals in children's products such as toys, 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 (Ecology Center). NOTE : Products are tested only for hazardous chemical content, not for other possible hazards.

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. See also Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) (U.S. 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). Child Health Advice offers 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). Healthy Children is a large collection of short articles, videos, and other resources to help you keep your child healthy and safe. Formerly Pediatrics : Parenting Corner (American Academy of Pediatrics). See also Child Health Library (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh).

Kids Health Galaxy : Hospitalization new - 'This animated site... provides interactive, engaging and educational information for children ages 6 to 12 to help them understand and cope with hospitalization.' NOTE : Some information is specific to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, but the 'Medical Library' animations contain mostly general information.

KidsPeace - Resources to help you help your child cope with war, bullies, grief, disaster, violence, and more. Use the left-hand menu to choose a topic. (A private, non-profit treatment & education service)

Middlesex Out-Reach & Education (M.O.R.E.) new - Printable information pamphlets for parents & educators about bullying, gangs, online threats, teen driving, and other safety issues, plus links to related resources. There's a similar page for Kids & Teens. (Middlesex County Prosecutor)

Noise & Hearing Loss - 'Learn about the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss so that your tween - and you - can have healthy hearing for life.' (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders)

Parents : The Anti-Drug - A wealth of information and advice to help you keep your kids away from drugs. In English and Spanish. (National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign)

Runaway Switchboard - Assistance and advice for parents of runaways. NOTE : Site may be slow to load and navigate.

School Bus Safety - Advice on waiting for the bus, riding on the bus, and getting off the bus safely (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh). See also School Bus Safety (U.S. Department of Transportation).

Shopping Cart Safety [Link opens a PDF] - 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. See also Safe Shopping with Children. (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Sleep - Brief tips on helping your child get a good night's sleep. Covers different age groups from newborn to age 12 (National Sleep Foundation; site includes advertisements). For babies, see Babies & Sleep links. For information about the sleep needs of teens, see Teens & Sleep links. See also Children's Media Use and Sleep Problems [Link opens a PDF] (2008, Kaiser Family Foundation)

Strollers new - Advice on how to buy a safe stroller. (2012, American Academy of Pediatrics)

Teen Driver Safety - Information and advice for parents and teens on safe and responsible driving, above.

Trampolines - Injury facts and safety tips. (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh)

We Can!™ : Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition - 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. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)