By "media mentor," I don’t mean a 12 year old who can show you how to save an image from Instagram to your email so you can share it with your 80 year old mother. I mean someone who can “support children and families in their media use and decisions.”
According to the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children), Children’s library professionals are a natural fit for media mentors. Our youth staff can help you find excellent resources, whether you are looking for books, recordings or apps, and they can model safe and effective digital device use, including privacy, security concerns and advertising.
Besides figuring out “what” media, there are also the questions of how much, at what age, and more! Your local Children’s library professionals can give you guidelines so you can create a Family Media Plan (in English or Spanish), a recommendation of The American Academy of Pediatrics. The Erikson Institute, through research conducted at their Technology in Early Childhood (TEC) Center, provides data-driven advice for parents seeking information about the intersection of child development, early learning, and children’s media.
The Joan Ganz Cooney Center, whose mission is to advance children's learning through digital media, publishes a great guide to using apps with your child that is available in English and Spanish. The center was named after Joan Ganz, a key founder of the Sesame Street television show back in 1966, and their website and blog have a wide range of great information and interesting research about youth and media of all kinds.
Finally, our youth staff encourage families to think about the “Three C’s” of content, context, and the child when considering media and its use. The Three C’s were coined by Lisa Guernsey and Michael Levine, authors of Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens. The apps below are ones recommended by the ALSC and organized by age, but you can always use the “Three C’s” to decide what will work best for your child!
Preschoolers (over two years)
Duolingo ABC—Learn to Read app
This app teaches young children important literacy skills such as vocabulary and print awareness with the end goal of helping children become readers!
Canticos
Sing, play & learn with Canticos, an award-winning bilingual preschool video series. There are free printable activities to go along with the songs, all in an ad-free and kid-safe environment.
The Imagine Neighborhood podcast
Kids will learn about social-emotional skills through stories, songs, and activities, prompting conversations between children and caregivers about big feelings.
Duck, Duck, Moose
Kids can play games that support reading and math learning, as well as free apps for creative expression and play!
Sago Mini
Sago Mini World builds emotional intelligence, creative problem solving and self-confidence through open-ended play – while allowing kids to play at their own pace. (free month trial, six month bundle for $60)
Sesame Street Family Play: Caring for Each Other app
Maybe it takes a screen to help you unplug! In English and Spanish, this app just asks a few questions to guide its suggestions for screen-free games and activities families can do wherever they are.
Khan Academy Kids
This free, no-ad app engages kids in core subjects like early literacy, reading, writing, language, and math, while encouraging creativity and building social-emotional skills. It was developed in collaboration with learning experts at Stanford and aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
Kindergarteners–Second Graders
Brains On! podcast
A podcast where different kid cohosts take the mic each week to tackle wide-ranging and fascinating science questions from listeners across the country.
Design Squad Global
Kids can take on challenges, watch videos, play games, and be wowed by the power of engineering.
Funbrain
This website for children features cool science experiments, read-aloud videos, and fun games to explore.
Go Noodle
Online videos that inspire movement for kids.
iCivics
Activities and games for both families and educators, all aimed at providing fundamental lessons in civics knowledge.
The Imagine Neighborhood podcast
Kids will learn about social-emotional skills through stories, songs, and activities, prompting conversations between children and caregivers about big feelings.
Molly of Denali podcast
Listen to the adventures of 10-year-old Molly, an Alaska Native girl who lives with her bush pilot mom, adventure-guide dad, and her dog, Suki, in a small village.
Monterey Bay Aquarium live cams webpage
Jellyfish, sea otters, and sharks, oh my! Learn about and watch live videos with these sea animals and more.
NASA STEM @ Home website
For children ages five and up, this website includes many activities both on- and off-screen based around NASA and space. Activities are broken down into three sections based on grade level: K–4, 5–8, and 9–12.
National Geographic Kids website
This fun and educational website for children features games, videos, and brain boosters.
Scratch website
An innovative block-based programming language that allows for the creation and remixing of limitless programming, from games to music to animation.
Wow in the World podcast
A STEM-themed podcast with silly (but scientifically) accurate humor for curious young listeners.
Third Graders–Fifth Graders
Brains On! podcast
A podcast where different kid cohosts take the mic each week to tackle wide-ranging and fascinating science questions from listeners across the country.
Design Squad Global
Kids can take on challenges, watch videos, play games, and be wowed by the power of engineering.
Funbrain
This website for children features cool science experiments, read-aloud videos, and fun games to explore.
Go Noodle
Online videos that inspire movement for kids.
iCivics
Activities and games for both families and educators, all aimed at providing fundamental lessons in civics knowledge.
Monterey Bay Aquarium live cams webpage
Jellyfish, sea otters, and sharks, oh my! Learn about and watch live videos with these sea animals and more.
NASA STEM @ Home website
For children ages five and up, this website includes many activities both on- and off-screen based around NASA and space. Activities are broken down into three sections based on grade level: K–4, 5–8, and 9–12.
National Geographic Kids website
This fun and educational website for children features games, videos, and brain boosters.
The Past and the Curious podcast
Kids and families can learn about shocking, inspirational, and often humorous historical events and people through short stories, humor, music, and fun.
Scratch website
An innovative block-based programming language that allows for the creation and remixing of limitless programming, from games to music to animation.
“Sơn Đoòng 360: Exploring the World’s Largest Cave” virtual tour
Explore the world’s largest cave in Vietnam with National Geographic’s 360-degree tour of Hang Sơn Đoòng, with fun facts, nature sounds, and interactive questions.
Wow in the World podcast
A STEM-themed podcast with silly (but scientifically) accurate humor for curious young listeners.
