Circle of Security

Circle of Security International LogoI learned about Circle of Security as an approach to parenting and parent education the other day at a meeting, and I just had the chance to poke around and see what it is all about.  There are some great short animated...

Empowering Parents

A parent and child play together in HawkinsMany of you have been trained in the Every Child Ready to Read curriculum, emphasizing helping parents and caregivers understand the importance of five early literacy practices (Playing, Talking, Singing, Reading, and...

Play Is the Way!

A child playing in BloomerEvery several months, I have a chance to get together with early childhood professionals from around western Wisconsin, and it is often some of the most fruitful time I spend.  Not because I get a lot of taks ticked off my list, but...

Find Your Voice!

Image from PixabayWhen you see the call to present at a state conference or an IFLS workshop, do you assume the people asking for presenters are talking to other people?  Believe it or not, those calls are meant for YOU!  There are lots of reasons to ignore...

FREE Webinar Series on Teen Services

Image from PixabayThe Young Adult Library Services Association is sponsoring a series of FREE webinars–you don’t have to be a member to participate, and you don’t have to pay.  This is pretty exciting!  The topics cover everything from teen...

Early Literacy Activity Calendars

Image from PixabayFor several years, the Youth Services Section of the Wisconsin Library Association has created a lovely Early Literacy Calendar, designed by YSS members to encourage families and caregivers to engage with their children in a variety of playful...

Coding Resource Is Super Cool!

If you haven’t had a chance to peek at the new super awesome toolkit that is part of the Wisconsin Libraries Coding Initiative, I highly recommend taking some time to do that.  Created by our inimitable statewide youth services consultant Tessa Michaelson...

Default to Kindness

I was talking with a youth services librarian I admire last week.  She said something that really struck me, and I asked her if I could share it in my blog.  She said yes, but demurred when I asked if I could give her credit, so you’ll just have to let...

Thanksgiving Books and More

With Thanksgiving coming up, it’s a great time to think about our collections and programs and how they may (or may not!) portray inaccurate stereotypes of First Nation people, or appropriate cultural practices inappropriately (for lack of a better word). ...