Serving Teen Parents

Series Foreword
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction-A Critical Need: Libraries Serving Teen Parents
The Scope of the Issue
The Human Cost on the Parent
The Human Cost on the Child
Economic Costs to Society
Why Library Services?
What This Book Offers
Conclusion
Authors' Note
References
Chapter 1-Understanding Teen Parents
"What Were You Thinking?" The Teen Brain in Development
"It's All about Me!" Adolescent Egocentrism
"Who Am I?" The Formation of an Identity
"I Want to Decide!" Establishing Independence
"Where Are My Friends?" Interacting with Peers
Teen Fathers-the Truly Underserved
"How Do I Do This?" Meeting the Demands of Parenting
Conclusion
References
Chapter 2-Teen Parents within a System: Influencing Factors
The Home Environment
Family Dynamics
The Surrounding Neighborhood
Homelessness
Sexual Abuse
Mental Health Concerns
Educational Experiences and Issues
Hurdles at School
Information and Referral
Housing
Health
Child Support
Child Care
Local Community Referrals
Conclusion
References
Resources
Chapter 3-Communicating with Teen Parents
Working with Teen Parents
Building Relationships
Utilizing a Strengths-based Perspective
Effectively Communicating Information
Facilitating a Group
Group Dynamics
Room Configuration and the Group
Conclusion
References
Chapter 4-Program Development of Successful Teen Parent Services
Institutional Support and Issues
Addressing Challenges
Identifying Potential Client Groups and Partnerships
Local Connections
Government Agencies
Private Nonprofit Organizations
Transitional Housing Agencies
Community Meetings and Coalition Building
Making Contact
Alternatives for Smaller Communities
Service and Project Planning
Form a Project Team
Assess the Needs of the Teen Parent Group
Define the Project
Formulate a Plan
Determine a Timeline and Budget for the Project
Evaluation
A Shorthand Planning Process
Program Frequency, Scheduling, Location, and Attendance
Staffing and Staff Training
Staff Competencies
Suggestions for In-house Collaborations
Staff Attitudes
Funding
Fundraising and Grants
Grantsmanship Training and Information
Types of Grant Funding
Writing a Grant Proposal
Advice for Successful Grant Seeking
Program Sustainability
Aligning Established Services with Teen Parent Needs
Booktalking
Book Discussion Groups
Teen Parent Volunteers at the Library
Low-maintenance Teen Parent Services
Creating Collections for Teen Parents
Conclusion
References
Resources
Appendix: Field-Tested Teen Parent Services and Programs
Every Child Ready to Read® (ECRR) with Pregnant/Parenting Teens
Teens with Tots
Young Moms Club
Florence Crittenton Book Club
Teen Parent Baby Lapsit Program at Borrego Springs Library
Project L.I.F.T. (Literacy Involves Families Together)
Teen Parent Outreach
Youth Literacy Project (YLP)
Appendix: Recommended for Teen Parent Collections
Chapter 5-Parent-Focused Programs: Literacy and Life Skills
Program Planning Template
Child Care
Preliminary Planning
Icebreakers
Program Session Format
Informational Content Planning
Mainstream Teen Program Ideas to Consider
Program Extras
Life Skills
Library Use
Adult Literacy
Information Literacy
Job Searching and Continuing Education
Financial Literacy
Health
Parenting
Using Children's Books as Teaching Tools
Adapting an Existing Curriculum
General Parenting Workshops
Conclusion
References
Resources
Appendix
Reproducible Library Needs Survey
Sample Library Scavenger Hunt
Reproducible "Discover Careers That Fit You"
Reproducible Family Media Questionnaire
Chapter 6-The Power of Play: Teen Parents and the Library
Crafts
Guidelines and Tips for Craft Projects
A Sampler of Craft Projects
Resources for Craft Projects
Simple Cooking Activities
Helpful Tips
Suggested Recipes
Resources for Cooking Activities
Self-Care
Exercise
Mental Health
Leisure Reading
Readers' Advisory
Storytelling and Reading Aloud to Teen Parents
Books and Toys: Creating Gifts for Their Children
Bookmaking
Toys for Play and Storytime
Resources for Toy-Making Activities
Conclusion
References
Resources
Chapter 7-Parent-Child Interactive Literacy Programs
Early Brain Development
Goals of Teen Parent-Child Interactive Literacy Programs
Practices that Promote Early Learning
Making Reading a Part of Every Child's Life
Books in the Home
Introducing Teen Parents to Children's Books
Modeling Read-Aloud Methods
Communicating Early Learning Concepts
Incentives
Practicing One-on-One Reading
Group Storytimes
What Teen Parents Need to Know about Storytime
Who, Me-Do a Storytime?
Storytime Program Development and Presentation
Program Template
Bilingual Programs
Setting the Scene
Reading Aloud
Making the Storytime Come Alive
Choosing Appropriate Storytime Books
Songs, Fingerplays, and Movement Activities
Puppets, Flannelboards, and Other Special Effects for Group Storytimes
Bells, Scarves, and Shakers
Recorded Music
Adapting an Existing Curriculum: Every Child Ready to Read®
Early Literacy/Every Child Ready to Read® Workshop
ECRR Concepts to Highlight
Conclusion
References
Resources
Appendix
Additional Sample Storytimes
Recommended Books, Flannelboard Stories, and Music
Reproducible Storytime Observation Checklist
Reproducible Fingerplay Lists 1-4
Flannelboard Story Pattern: "It's Not that Cold Outside"
Flannelboard Story Pattern: "Yellow Star, Yellow Star"
Flannelboard Story Pattern: "The Wheels on the Bus"
Chapter 8-Teen Parent Families: Playing and Learning Together
Milestones of Early Development
What about Play?
Basic Baby Play
Planning Successful Programs
Selecting Activities
Introducing Activities
Behaviors to Model
Everyday Learning
Sensory Experiences
Early Thinking and Problem Solving
Nature Walk
Simple Nature Activities for Early Learning
Interactive Play Activities from Books and Websites
Conclusion
References
Resources
Appendix
Reproducible Nature Walk Checklist
Index