Upcoming Parenting Program!
Happiest Baby on the Block
Wednesday, May 15th at 6:30pm (REGISTER HERE)
Half of all new babies cry and fuss more than two hours a day. Their prolonged 
crying may cause great stress – exhaustion, problems breastfeeding, stress, depression, and even child abuse. Dr. Harvey Karp, a California pediatrician, has developed techniques for quickly calming fussy babies. Donna Connor and Dave Marley have been trained in the innovative approach and will be providing classes at the Amesbury Public Library.
Coming to the rescue of new parents, the Certified Happiest Baby Educator will give moms and dads (as well as other family members and childcare providers) the tools and knowledge they need to help calm unhappy babies almost as easily as…turning off a light. This class is free to everyone and co-sponsored by the Library and Community Action, Inc. Registration is required.
Parent Resource Collection
The library has a special collection for parents that offers resources on various topics including special needs, behavior issues, educational activities, curriculum ideas, and many others resources. It is located upstairs in the children’s room.
Helpful Links For Parents
Below are some helpful links for parents are various subjects. If there is a site that you like or a topic you’d like to see here, please let us know.
General Parenting Information
- Department of Education useful pamphlets to download
- Tufts University directory of child development sites
- Parenting from iVillage
- Parenting Site from the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Dr. Sears’ Website
- Zero to Three
Emergent Literacy
- Mother Goose on the Loose
Website for the program we use for our 0-24 mouth olds at the Library. - Reach Out and Read
- Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines of Toddlers and Infants
Exploring books
- We Believe in Picture Books
Candlewick Publishers interviews with authors and others about pictures books.
Signing With Babies
- Signing with Your Baby
This site offers discussion of how, why, and what to do to get started with baby signing. Also includes photos of common signs. - Signing with Babies
Offers information about the benefits as well as resources and how to get started. - Signs and Smiles
Local classes as well as resources
Reading
- Reading is Fundamental
- Massachusetts Center for the Book
Hosts the Massachusetts Book Awards as well as offering a Letters to the Author contest each year. - Children’s Book Council
- Center for the book from the Library of Congress
Safety And Preventing Injury
Media Reviews For Parents
Autism
We also have resources for parents and kids in the Library that are all requestable through our website or come in and ask us for any thing you might need.
Introduction to Autism
Advocacy
- Advocates for Autism in Massachusetts
- The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
By and for people with autism, this site offers resources for families and adults who are dealing with autism. - Federation for Children with Special Needs
- Interactive Collaborative Autism Network
Offers training modules for educators and parents and others who are involved in the education of those with autism. - Massachusetts Advocates for Children
- Special Needs Advocacy Network
- Walsh Brothers Educational Advocates
Government and Legal Resources/Health and Human Services
- Special Education on the Department of Education
- Special Education Laws
- Massachusetts Civil Rights
- Wrights Law
Medical
- Mass General Lurie Family Autism Center
- Children’s Hospital – Use the My Children’s search feature.
Support
- The Arc of Massachusetts
- The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership
An educational and advocacy site for and by individuals with autism. Provides information on support groups. - Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM)
AFAM is a coalition of individuals, families and organizations from across the state advocating on behalf people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) – including PDD and Asperger’s, with the goal of forming a collective voice in support of legislation, funding, and public awareness around ASD. - Autism Alliance of Metrowest, Inc.
- Autism Society of America – Massachusetts Chapter
- Autism Speaks-New England Chapter – Lisa Marie Kearney – AFAM Representative
- Autism Support Center
Serving Northeastern Massachusetts, Charles River West, and Central Middlesex - The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc.
- National Allience on Mental IIllness (Massachusetts)
Resources for legel, medical, support groups, and more. - SPED Child and Teen
Lists events and resources for parents, teens, and professionals.
Therapy Centers
- OTA Wakefield (Wakefield)
- The Futures Clinc (Beverly)
- Angel Care Therapy Center (Haverhill)
- Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Care Program
Teaches social skills and other behavioral strategies to children, offering therapeutic support through group participation in recreational, social, and educational activities, including summer camps.
Contact Us
Clare Dombrowski, Children’s Librarian – cdombrowski@mvlc.org