Explore resources committed to supporting families as they navigate technology across a wide range of topics.

Online Resources

Common Sense Media - Nonprofit organization committed to supporting families in all aspects of life related to technology and media, such as movies & TV, books, apps & games, and distance learning.  Includes a section dedicated to Spanish resources!

Connect Safely Parent Guides - A compilation of guides written by parents for parents, on topics such as TikTok, Instagram, cyberbullying, educational technology, and more.  Each guide provides an overview of the topic, puts related issues in context, offers advice for the whole family, and points to additional resources.

Digital Family Wellness Guide - Digital Wellness Lab - Sesame Workshop's science-based guidance for raising happy, healthy children, from toddlers to teenagers in today’s digital environment.  Includes an overview of age appropriate development and technology use, tips for engaging with technology in a variety of areas, ice breaker conversation starters to use with your child, and more.

Digital Futures Initiative: For Parents - Free lessons and resources to support your family’s responsible use of the internet and technology.

Helping You Make Technology Work for Your Family - Google - Google's hub for families, providing resources and guidance for families on topics such as screen time, popular tech, parental controls, online safety & well-being, family fun, classroom tools, and more.

Internet Access & Devices - Wide Open School - Information and resources about gaining access to internet providers and devices your children can use for school.

Education technology, or EdTech, refers to any digital technology that your children or their teachers may use as a learning tool. These resources were curated to help you navigate Learning Management Systems, virtual class meetings, and other EdTech tools commonly used in the classroom.

Check out our LRC-South Quick Tip video, Using Google Chrome Extensions!

Online Resources

Guardian's Guides to Google Tools - Equip children with the tools they need to learn and collaborate anytime.

Guide to Google Classroom | Parent-Teacher-University - Video guides to Google Classroom created by the Google Educator Group.

Learning with Technology - Common Sense Media - Articles, videos, and answers to FAQs to support your children as they learn in a digital world.

Parent and Caregiver Guide: Your School’s Tools - Wide Open School - Curated resources for managing school-assigned devices and navigating commonly used programs (Class Dojo, Google Classroom, Schoology, Seesaw, Zoom, etc.)

Parent's Guide to Google Classroom | Common Sense Media - Helps parents navigate and answers general questions about google classroom.

Tech Toolkit for Families and Guardians - Learn more about the technologies your child is using for school with the Tech Toolkit for Families and Guardians Video Series. Here you’ll find a breakdown of key takeaways and features across Google’s tools and other resources for support.

LRC-South Resources

• Buckleitner’s Guide to Using Tablets with Young Children by Warren Buckleitner
• Spark Change: Making Your Mark in a Digital World by Olivia Van Ledtje and Cynthia Merrill
• Using Technology to Engage Students with Learning Disabilities by Billy Krakower and Sharon LePage Plante
  

If you’re interested in hearing how educators are discussing educational technology in their classrooms, try out our Search Tool to explore all of our LRC-S resources!

Assistive technology, or AT, refers to equipment or systems that address challenges related to learning, communication, and everyday tasks. Augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC, refers to a range of multimodal communication methods used by individuals with significant expressive language impairment. Explore these resources to learn more!

Check out our LRC-S Quick Tip, Assistive Technology: Mission Possible! While this 2-minute video is geared toward educators, it provides a great overview of what assistive technology is and the types of AT that may help your child succeed at school. 

Online Resources

Assistive Technology Center: AT for School & Learning and Augmentative Communication - Success stories of people using AT or AAC and resources to support individuals with disabilities identify and use the AT or AAC tools they need to learn.

Assistive Technology - Understood - Resources that guide you through different types of assistive technology (AT) and how they work, how to access AT, and questions to ask your child’s school.

Assistive Technology 101 | CTD Institute - Includes articles, infographics, videos, and webinars to help families get started with AT, including a glossary of terms, the benefits of AT, its role in an IEP, and demonstrations of AT at home and at school.

Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An Overview | Reading Rockets - An introduction for parents on the benefits and types of assistive technology for children with learning disabilities.  Includes advice about choosing the best AT product for your child.

Assistive Technology That's Built Into Mobile Devices - Understood - A review of common AT already built into mobile devices that may assist your child with reading, writing, motor skills, attention, and organization.  Includes both iOS and Android examples.

CTD Family Portal - Center on Technology and Disability - Resources designed with families in mind to support their children through the use of AT. Includes webinars, learning materials, articles, and factsheets.

Learning Differences & Special Needs Guide - Common Sense Media - Find apps, games, and other tools to help your child with communication, social interaction, organization, reading & writing, math, or motor skills.  A guide for each focus area provides tips for families and points to additional resources to learn more.

Technology Lending Center - Assistive Technology Center - A free service that enables New Jersey residents with a disability to borrow AT devices on a trial basis.

The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) - Disability Rights in NJ- a federally funded project to make AT more accessible throughout New Jersey.  Services include information, referrals, advocacy, legal representation, a program for used AT, and presentations.

Explore our round-up of assistive technology resources for educators! Many of these resources would be helpful to families as well. They are listed under “Assistive Technology” on Using Tech in the Classroom. 

LRC-South Resources

AT Books:

• Assistive Technology in Special Education: Resources to Support Literacy, Communication, and Learning Differences by Joan L. Green
• Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities by Amy G. Dell, Deborah A. Newton, and Jerry G. Petroff
• Getting Started: iPads for Special Needs by Sami Rahman
• Leading the Way to Excellence in AT Services: A Guide for School Administrators by Gayl Bowser and Penny Reed
• The New Assistive Tech: Making Learning Awesome for All! by Christopher Bugaj

AT Tools:

• Assistive Technology Samples - a kit of low-tech AT tools for developing fine motor skills
• Bouncyband for Standard Desks produced by Bouncyband
• Hearing Protector produced by Califone (also available as tiger, panda, and bear styles!)
• Pedal Exerciser produced by Realia
• Thunder T3 Hearing Protector produced by Howard Leight
• Trackball Mouse produced by Kensington

AAC Resources:

• AAC Series published by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
• Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Libby Kumin
• PECS Communication Accessory Kit

Looking for new ways to stay engaged during virtual learning?

Flexible and active seating environments meet the needs of all students. Try out our search tool to explore all of our these tools for adaptive seating!

Staying safe online is a priority for families.  These resources can help you implement practices that protect your family’s privacy and well-being.

Check out our LRC-South Quick Tip, Staying Safe in Digital Learning Environments!

Online Resources

Cyberbullying, Haters, and Trolls - Common Sense Media - Articles, videos, and answers to FAQs regarding how to navigate cyberbullying.  Filter questions by age of your children for the most relevant information!

Cyberbullying Quick Reference Guide for Parents by Patti Agatston, Ph.D. via cyberbullyhelp.com - A guide for families about cyberbullying, including preventative measures, warning signs and intervention strategies.

Digital Awareness for Parents - stopbullying.gov - A short list of steps parents can take to prevent cyberbullying and protect their family during online activities, with helpful links to other resources.  Stopbullying.gov is an official US government website.

Digital Safety Resources: Tools for the Home - Be Internet Awesome - The Be Internet Awesome Family Guide provides discussion questions, learning activities, and vocabulary to help your family be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave when online. Other helpful resources include an online game, coloring book to download, and guide to Google’s Family Link app. Many resources are also available in Spanish.

Faux Paw the Techno Cat - iKeepSafe - Use these digital books as a launching pad for important conversations about digital citizenship with your child in K-3rd grade.  Downloadable activity pages available for some.

Privacy and Internet Safety - Common Sense Media - Articles, videos, and answers to FAQs regarding tips and tools to keep your family safe online.  Filter questions by age of your children for the most relevant information!

Stay Safe Online | Stay Safe Online - Learn how to protect yourself, your family and your devices with these tips and resources.

Your child’s teacher may address similar topics during lessons on digital citizenship. Check out this article on how caregivers and educators can partner together in this area, as well as our round-up of digital citizenship resources for educators to learn more.

LRC-South Resources

Click here to search our library collection and reserve resources via LRC Xpress → Submit Form

• Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age by Robin M. Kowalski, Susan P. Limber, and Patricia W. Agatston
• Generation Cyberbully: Bullying without Borders produced by Learning Seed
• Online Predators Series produced by Film Ideas, Inc
• Staying Safe Online: Digital Footprint Watch Where You Step produced by Learning Zone Express

For additional resources on digital safety explore our lending library search tool. 

Consider these resources when setting boundaries regarding screen time or social media and navigating parental control options.

Online Resources

How Can We Build Healthier Relationships with Technology? - Center for Humane Technology - Curated resources that explore the long term impact of technology and equip families to take practical steps toward implementing healthier boundaries.  Includes a wide range of parental concerns, from delaying the use of social media and smartphones to combatting gaming addiction.

How to Make a Family Media Use Plan - HealthyChildren.org - Developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this guide includes an interactive tool to create your own Family Media Use Plan, offers tips of what to include, and provides additional resources that may be helpful.  Also available in Spanish. 

Is Your Teen Vamping Instead of Sleeping? - Psychology Today - Explores the negative impact of late-night cell phone use on teenagers and what parents can do to help.

Limit Screen Time - Action for Healthy Kids - Limit daily screen time for kids and instead get them up, moving and spending quality time with others. (Move from Online Resources → Educational Technology → Digital Citizenship → Elements of Digital Citizenship - Digital Health & Wellness)

Managing Screen Time Increases Family Joy - Roots of Action - Reviews the importance of modeling the technology guidelines parents want their children to use and recommends six changes families can make to reduce the distractions of technology.

Parents’ Ultimate Guides - Common Sense Media - Guides for families on the latest social media tools and apps, such as Tik Tok, Minecraft, Messenger Kids, and more.  

Parent Tips: Help Your Kids Reduce Screen Time and Move More | NIH - Tips to help your children spend less time in front of a TV, computer, or video games—and more time being active. (Move from Online Resources → Educational Technology → Digital Citizenship → Elements of Digital Citizenship - Digital Health & Wellness)

Screen Time - Common Sense Media - Articles, videos, and answers to FAQs regarding tips and tools to set appropriate boundaries.  Filter questions by age of your children for the most relevant information!

Screen Time - ParenTeen Connect - Videos spotlighting parent, teen, and expert voices designed to initiate important conversations between you and your teenager.

LRC-South Resources

Click here to search our library collection and reserve resources via LRC Xpress → Submit Form

• Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens by Lisa Guernsey and Michael H. Levine
• The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age by Catherine Steiner-Adair with Teresa H. Barker