Youth Department

Resources for Parents/Guardians

In addition to the various books that you read with your child or children, the Youth Department also has a collection of >parenting books.  The titles in this collection address a variety of topics including parenting issues/ resources for teachers/ child care providers.  The staff would be happy to direct you to this collection where you might find helpful resources.

In order to meet the needs of our patrons, the Youth staff has designed bibliographies on “life issue” topics.  We hope that the list of books on the subjects of >toilet training, >new sibling , divorce and death/grieving will be useful.  Please know that each list features only a few titles on that particular topic.  If you wish we are happy to help you locate additional titles.

Quick Links

Educational Resources

Amazing Educational Resources
There are a lot of Education Companies offering free subscriptions due to school closings. There is a search function, allowing you to find resources by topic and grade level/age appropriateness. They also have a Facebook group where you can share and chat with others about curriculum and things to do.

ASL eBooks and Resources
A lot of d/Deaf kids are being isolated at home without linguistic access. This is an ongoing compilation of free resources available online, and this document will be continually updated with new links. The last update was May 2020, but the vast majority of the links are still live. Any links that were temporary are marked as such. For any questions or concerns regarding this document, contact asl@dhcc.org

Also check out this hashtag on Twitter for more shared resources: #OperationASLStorytime

Camp Corona
Crowdsourced resources, ideas, and links from around the web to promote quarantine sanity for families. Most of the virtual links and learning are FREE or low cost as we know a lot of families are struggling balancing finances, major shifts in schedules and routines, and work during this time.

Code.Org
Anyone can learn computer science. Coding is easy! Code.org's courses and activities are free! It's easier and more fun than you think. Watch a video about coding.

Code.org's Glossary of Coding Terms
Are you confused by the terms used during coding? Check out this glossary to learn what words like "bug" and "packet" mean in the coding world.

Khan Academy
This is a nonprofit with the mission to provide free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Check out their YouTube Channel and subchannels, such as >Khan Academy Kids and >Khan Academy Espanol, for tutorials and fun videos.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBLQx8uCic8]

Turning the Pages: Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
The Iowa Department for the Blind serves blind and visually impaired Iowans through an array of services, including vocational rehabilitation, independent living and an orientation center for blind adults.

The Library provides books, magazines and other informational materials in Braille, audio, large print and electronic formats to Iowa residents who are unable to use standard print materials because of a disability. Playback equipment for use with audio materials is also available on loan.

The library’s collection is home to 300,000 items – all available by mail, free of charge.

Money Management
No matter how old your kids may be, there’s always something to be learned about money. If you want your kids to better understand investing, saving, budgeting, and planning for their financial future

National Association for the Education of Young Children
Find research-based resources, tips and ideas for families—from child development to reading, writing, music, math, and more!

Parenting in a Pandemic
This group will offer a question of the day that you can ask your child to help connect you, ground you, and spark conversations. They also plan to offer tips for making homework interesting and maybe a little less stressful. If you are in need of something specific to help your family please let them know by reaching out to covidrecoveryiowa.org .They hope to make parenting in a pandemic easier for your family through this group.

Publisher Online Resources
Looking for fun and educational resources, activities, discussion guides, teacher guides, and more to share with children of all ages? From fiction to non-fiction, STEM books to graphic novels, book publishers have created a wealth of content to support educators, librarians, booksellers, parents, and caregivers. Compiled here are links to various publisher’s websites where you can find these free resources.

Scholastic Learn at Home
Even when schools are closed, you can keep the learning going with these special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin! *Update: No longer free.

Stuck Inside
If you are on Facebook, this is a great compilation of things to do when you are stuck inside--whether that is through virtual means or otherwise.

Virtual Museums
Access to endless open content. Educational resources for e-learning. Virtual retreats to art, culture, and history around the globe.

Virtual Tours
Travel the universe and tour the San Diego Zoo, Yellowstone, and many more places--even Mars! Don't forget to visit the >Hearst Center of the Arts on your virtual road trip!

Get Crafty!

Are you looking for something to do with your children while at home? The youth staff can help you find books and other materials with craft ideas, games, and other activities to engage your children. In addition to the materials available in the library, here are a few of our favorite craft web sites:

Artists Helping Children: Arts and Crafts

Crayola Crafts

Disney Coloring Pages

DLTK Crafts for Kids

Enchanted Learning Crafts

Every Child A Reader Coloring Pages

Other informational links

Active For Life
This is a nonprofit organization with a mission to "help parents give their children the right start in life through the development of physical literacy".

Internet Safety
Technology is changing faster than many of us can keep up with and requires vigilance to stay up to date on the definitions, tools, risks, and resources of the online world. This parent guide covers several online safety topics to better equip parents with the information and resources needed to be “Web aware.” Specifically, this resource covers information about netiquette, cell phone safety, filtering, addictive behavior, intellectual property, ergonomics, online privacy, predators, and virus protection. It also includes useful tools to help set guidelines and expectations, such as an Online Safety Contract.

Know Your Kids' Rights
A great information guide to intellectual freedom and the right to read.

The Three C's: Content, Context, and Your Child
Become more mindful in using digital technology with young children by taking this quiz.

Zero to Three
During the first three years of life, emotionally nourishing relationships lay the foundation for lifelong health and well-being. By supporting the caring adults who touch the lives of infants and toddlers, we hope to maximize our long-term impact in ensuring all infants and toddlers have a bright future.

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