Wondering if your child should be spending some or any time with an iPad? You're not alone. The recent article in The Atlantic, "The Touch-Screen Generation," and pieces on Minnesota Public Radio and National Public Radio about screen time for children have gotten people thinking more about how television or touch screen devices may affect early childhood development. Visit our Tech Together page for a great list of sources on best use, reviews of apps and other digital resources, and suggestions for how to engage with your child using technology and interactive media.

Working Mother has put together a "Best of the Net" list of sites and blogs of interest to working moms (though many will have appeal to any parent) on topics like parenting, news & issues, coupons, products, home ideas, and lifestyle. While you're at it, check out their list of "25 Best Apps for Working Moms".

Learn about books & reading, education, online safety and parenting & childcare for school age children in our section called for grownups on KidLinks, our website for students ages 6-12.

In his book, "The Mister Rogers Parenting Book", Fred Rogers provides advice on helping children process scary events they see in the news. Get the book or read an article with excerpts and see a video of Mister Rogers on this topic on PBS's Mister Rogers' Neighborhood site for parents and teachers.

The holiday season is a great time to talk with children about manners--from showing gratitude to knowing how to act at the dinner table. Start the conversation using a book from our booklist, "Helping Kids Relate: Manners".

Explore our subject guide on Education and Libraries for more information to support your child. Look at Financial Aid & Scholarships, Homeschooling Resources, K-12 Education, Special Education, Test Preparation and more.

Apps save you time and stress when they're good. From baby monitors to grocery lists to scheduling, discover Babble's 50 Best Apps for Parents of 2012. Talks about apps for both Apple and Android devices.

The third annual Twin Cities Birth & Baby Expo will be held on Saturday, October 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Midtown Global Market. The Expo's mission is to "connect local families with empowering, multicultural resources and education that promote healthy birth and parenting and celebrate the transformative experience of becoming parents."

Does school success require more than intelligence? Listen to the September 14th episode of radio show This American Life which discusses ideas from Paul Tough's book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character. Education Watch also addresses the topic and speaks to the author in its podcast, "Is Intelligence Really the Key to Success?"

Connect to online tutors 7 days a week from 1 to 11 p.m. on the library website or find tutors in library buildings. Our Homework page gives you the details. Be sure to check the right sidebar for more suggestions for independent study.

Playing games teaches kids new words, helps them explore their environment and new concepts, and learn how to socialize. Use Every Rule to find out how to play hundreds of games of every type, whether for kids, computers, sports, cards or boards.

With news reports recently stating that furry pets may help your baby become more resistant to respiratory infections like colds, here's some great advice on Pets and Children. Need help deciding on a pet? Oprah's Pick the Right Pet for You helps you ask the right questions.

Summer is half over and soon freshman college students (and their parents) everywhere will be gearing up for this next big step. Need a little help preparing yourself and your child? Try one (or all) of these:
The University of Minnesota's Parent Program provides tips and information helpful for any college parent (whether or not the child attends the U of M).
Parent and Communications Professor, Ellen Bremen, suggests 12 starters to "Two-Minute College Prep Conversations" with your child.
College Parents of America provides articles and advice on every stage from move-in day to graduation.
The Jed Foundation provides resources for guidance on addressing the emotional health of college students.

Research anything medical, including herbal supplements and alternative medicine, in the Health & Wellness Resource Center, paid for by the library. Information is also available in Spanish.

As described by Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) [via The New York Times Motherlode blog], the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would 'require an employer to make a reasonable accommodation for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, unless this creates an undue hardship on the employer.' The legislation would also prevent employers from using a worker’s pregnancy to deny her opportunities on the job, force her to take an accommodation that she does not want or need, or force her onto leave when another reasonable accommodation could help keep her on the job — all rules that should already be familiar to employers, thanks to the Americans With Disabilities Act."

Parent Hacks has collected some tips for Summer Fun. Explore categories like summer activities, learning, organization and quick clean up tips, meals/snacks/treats, health, and low-effort summer "fashion."

Looking for Summer Camps? Want to plan a vacation using our Countries & Travel subject guide? It's not too early to start. Hope you have a great summer!

Even after the recent grueling cold and flu season, the sniffling may not end soon.  Unseasonably warm temperatures may trigger an early and uncomfortable allergy season.  Wondering if your or your child's sniffles are allergy or cold induced?  Watch this video, learn more about allergies in children and babies, and monitor pollen and mold levels reported on Pollen.com or the National Allergy Bureau (for the latter, MN pollen counts will resume April 2012).

Begin with Activity Tree, where you can find kids lessons, classes and summer camps. Most of these events and schools charge a fee. For free events, check out your local library and park system.

President Obama has given Minnesota a waiver on the No Child Left Behind learning laws because a viable alternative plan was presented. "Under the deal, the states must show they will prepare children for college and careers, set new targets for improving achievement among all students, reward the best performing schools and focus help on the ones doing the worst."

It's not too late!  You have until February 5th to head over to the Minnesota Children's Museum to see the exhibit, Storyland: A Trip through Childhood Favorites. Children from birth to age 8 (and their adults!) can immerse themselves and their imagination in the interactive displays based on seven cherished picture books by authors such as Beatrix Potter, Ezra Jack Keats, and Arthur Dorros.  Visit the Storyland exhibit page for more information.