Parenting and Child Development

A Research Guide

What key words will help me find information about parenting and child development?

Where can I find print resources about parenting and child development?

What are some good internet sites about parenting and child development?

SELECTED SOURCES AT PAMUNKEY REGIONAL LIBRARY

This pathfinder is designed to help you find authoritative and reliable information on parenting and child development.  Resources on this topic are available online and in the library.  If you need assistance or have questions, please feel free to ask a Library staff member or e-mail a Reference Librarian at ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. 

1. What key words will help me find information about parenting and child development?

To find books that can be checked out, choose the SUBJECT search in the PamCat, our online catalog, and type (one at a time) these subjects:

• Child development
• Child psychology
• Child rearing
• Parenting
• Parent and child
• Family life

You may also want to browse subjects.  In PamCat, choose BROWSE and type a subject like “Parenting”. This will allow you to browse narrower subjects related to parenting and child development.

2. Where can I find print resources on parenting and child development in the library?

Books on parenting and child development will be found throughout the library.  Most of the books will be shelved in the non-fiction stacks according to the Dewey Decimal Classification number closest to its main subject:

For example, books on parenting that are like handbooks or manuals (with an emphasis on living as a family) will be in 649 - Home economics and family living.

You may also want to search by call number for the Parenting collection (PAR) in addition to subject searches.  In PamCat, go to Advanced Search and look for the link to "Call Number" on the right hand side of the page.  A library staff member will be happy to show you where the Parenting Collection is located in each library branch.

Keep in mind that Juvenile non-fiction is not separated from Adult non-fiction if you have a special age-related or reading level need.

When you are doing research, make sure that you search in the reference area, too. These books cannot be checked out, but there is a lot of valuable information available that you could photocopy or put into notes.  Some reference books you might look at include the following:

Your library may not have all these resources available, but there are books, magazines, or other materials that you may find helpful — when in doubt, just ask a Library staff member or e-mail ask@pamunkeylibrary.org.

3. What are some good internet sites about parenting and child development?

Online Databases

The library subscribes to to several online databases that you may find helpful, depending on the type of information you need about parenting.

General OneFile (Go to General OneFile in the Library or from Work, Home, or School) has full-text access to a number of popular parenting magazines and scholarly journals that cover child development topics.

You may also be interested in some of our other pathfinders, like Testing Preparation & Student Resources, Homework Help, and Juvenile Crafts.

Web Sites

There are a variety of excellent resources on this topic available on the Internet, including the following sites:

• Commonwealth Parenting Center 
  Our mission is to build a stronger community by teaching proactive parenting skills to parents and caregivers in central Virginia through quality education, communication, and support.
• FAMRichmond.org
  FAM was created by parents and parenting education professionals to help parents deal with the challenges of raising happy, healthy families.
• National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center
• Parenting Publications from the Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Parent to Parent of Virginia
  Parent to Parent of Virginia offers emotional support and understanding, teaches coping skills and a model of positive family integration of children with disabilities, delivers information about services, support programs and advocacy organizations, and connects you with people and groups who share your concerns and interests and who can help meet your needs.
• Read Aloud Resource List (coming soon!)
• Reading Rockets
  The Reading Rockets project is comprised of PBS television programs, online services, and professional development opportunities. Reading Rockets aims to inform and inspire parents, teachers, childcare providers, administrators, and others who touch the life of a child by providing accurate, accessible information on how to teach kids to read and help those who struggle.
• Richmond Family Magazine
  Features articles, a calendar of local events, and more to help Richmond families become better and stronger.  Free issues are available at most branch libraries.
• Richmond Parents Magazine
  Richmond Parents provides central Virginia’s families with information and resources to enhance and support parenting and family life. 
• Text4Baby
  For new moms during pregnancy and through baby’s first year.  Sign up and receive three free text messages on your phone per week on topics like immunization, breastfeeding, prenatal and infant care services, and much more.  Also available en espanol.

To search the web sites listed above and over 100 popular and scholarly publications, try out our Parenting and Child Development Google Search Engine.

You may also want to check out the parenting resources at the Internet Public Library.  These websites will provide you with reliable information.

As always, please feel free to ask a Library Staff member, or email us at Ask a Librarian!

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compiled by the PRL Reference and Training Department (2010)