Family Media Plan Tool

Families looking for resources about managing their children's media use have an option that centers their family values in the decision-making process about what kinds of media and how much time their child should be spending online or with a screen.

The American Academy of Pediatrics launched a new online tool in conjunction with its latest recommendations on children and media use in October. Whether a child is in pre-school, high school or in between, the Family Media Plan tool can help parents define their own family guidelines for media use. The tool includes a media time calculator and is available in both English and Spanish.

Media and Young Minds Policy Statement Released

Emphasizing the importance of parental modulation of media use for young children and promoting the importance of unstructured, creative, and social play, the newest policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics addresses screen time and the young child. The statement provides recommendations for pediatricians and parents, both of which are of importance to youth services librarians in our dual roles as early literacy experts and media mentors. Read the policy statement HERE.

pixabay images

Free Media Mentor Webinar for Tuesday, July 21

Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC) has an upcoming webinar that is free and open to anyone to attend. Learn more about media mentorship in public libraries from Amy Koester, Youth & Family Program Coordinator, Skokie (IL) Public Library. To read more about the it or to register visit http://www.ala.org/alsc/media-mentorship-libraries-serving-youth-primer

Vetted apps to share

When I am asked about apps for kids, two of the resources I've shared with parents, grandparents and other interested adults are from these Wisconsin libraries who have put great lists together:

Darien Library Apps & Tech
Darien Library Early Literacy Apps
Madison Public Library Kids Apps (Carissa's picks include search options to target appropriate apps)

What resources do you use when acting as a media mentor?

Zero to Three Releases Screen Sense: Setting the Record Straight

Screen time for young children is a hot button topic. Research shows that what and how a screen is used is as important as when and what age. Zero to Three has just released  "Screen Sense:  Setting the Record Straight—Research-based Guidelines for Screen Use for Children Under 3 Years Old. This new free resource, written in partnership with leading researchers in the field of media and young children, is an authoritative review of what is known about the effect of screen media on young children’s learning and development.  It is designed to serve as a tool for guiding parents and professionals in making informed decisions about screen media use."

There are several additional resources, including a five myths infographic and the full version of the white paper available on the Zero to Three website.