Farmingdale Youth Services Department

The American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for screen time and use of visual media with preschoolers, released in 2016, emphasize the importance of caregiver-child interaction, stressing that adults should mediate the experience for young children, rather than having them interface with a screen alone. Some librarians and educators have reservations about recommending any screen time with preschoolers. A recent study out of the Hospital for Sick Children of Toronto found a link between the amount of passive handheld screen time and a delay in expressive speech in toddlers. While the authors of the study state that their findings do not prove a direct causation, they certainly give parents and caregivers pause. It's imperative that we model positive digital habits for your patrons, no matter how we personally feel about screen time. After all, serving as media mentors is part of our job. Recommending quality content, though, is no small feat.  Apps- both good and bad

Separation anxiety varies WIDELY between children. Some babies become hysterical when mom is out of sight for a very short time, while other children seem to demonstrate ongoing anxiety at separations during infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool. To All You Working Moms & Dads The trick for surviving separation anxiety demands  preparation , brisk transitions, and the evolution of time. I would suggest we parents suffer as much as our children do when we  leave . Even though we are often reminded that our children stop crying within minutes of our leave-taking, how many of you have felt like you’re “ doing it all wrong ” when your child clings to your legs, sobs for you to stay, and mourns the parting? As a  working mom , separation anxiety creates questions for me. Although it is an entirely normal behavior and a beautiful sign of a meaningful attachment, separation anxiety can be exquisitely unsettling for us all. Here are facts about separation anxiety and tips to improve

An online poll of readers produced the 100 best board books according to School Library Journal. You can find them all at the following address: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/28/announcing-the-top-100-board-books-poll/ Here are the very best of the best, a Top 10 of titles that are likely very familiar to every parent, educator, and child. 10. Moo, baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton 9.    The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton 8.    The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats 7.    Freight Train by Donald Crews 6.    Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann 5.    Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell 4.    Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See ? by Bill Martin, Jr. 3.    Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton 2.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle 1.  Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown We have copies of all these titles, located in the Children's Playroom. My favorite is Good Night Gorilla. What's yours? ~ Miss Elena Enjoy!

These indoor activities are designed to boost your 1-year-old's growing skills. Between his newfound ability to walk and constantly  improving language skills , your 1-year-old is so much fun to spend time with—which is important, because your interactions with him are essential to her development. "Between 12 months and two years, kids are starting to do things on their own, seeing cause and effect, and actively engaging with others in their environment, " says Robert Myers, Ph.D., a child and adolescent psychologist, founder of the Child Development Institute, and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. "Parents stimulating them, interacting with them, teaching them things, and exposing them to age-appropriate challenges and experiences is very important to encouraging development, and to the children exploring on their own and learning from interacting with their environment.&q

Author Greg Foley answers three questions he has always wanted to be asked. I’ve got a great idea for a children’s book – What should I do next?  Like many children’s authors, this is something I get asked all the time. My advice to anyone who wants to write children’s books, is to start with a children’s writing workshop. Doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend course, online or a night class (my fav). It’s where I started, learning the most basic rules and practices. One of the best tips I received was not to share my work with friends and family, because you’ll just get compliments. Instead, as with any craft you should share with other people who are trying to do the same thing. My first book, Thank You Bear , is about the creative journey. You think you have something great and the world is full of cynics. There was even a blog post I saw that used Thank You Bear as an example of the types of people you’ll encounter as an entrepreneur. In the end all you need is the right advoc

And the winners are.... K-2nd Grade Book of the Year:    Poor Louie , written and illustrated by Tony Fucile 3rd- 4th Grade Book of the Year: 50 Wacky Things Animals Do , by Tricia Martineau Wagner, illustrated by Carles Ballesteros 5th-6th Grade Book of the Year: The Losers Club , by Andrew Clements Teen Book of the Year: The Hate U Give , by Angie Thomas Check them out today!!