Media Mentorship

New form for old role: connecting families to their information needs using all forms of

media Support children and families in all types of media use Make it easier for families and teachers to find online resources and gain digital skills Help families gain access to high-quality digital materials from trusted sources

New Media

What is a Media Mentor?

All media that uses text, sound, and visuals in a digital setting; always changing

Websites Videos Apps AR & VR

70% of households have digital media devices

Children are expected to start school knowing basic computer skills

How Much Screen Time: Professionals

AAP Updated Guidelines

<18 months

No screen time except video chat

15 months - 2 years

Avoid solo media use; no max. time

2-5 years

Max. 1 hour; co-viewing ideal

6+ years

No max. time; create family limit

English/Mandarin Baby Study

0-2 yrs: don’t learn from screens

2-3 yrs: need interaction

Lisa Guernsey’s Three C’s

Content: what is on the screen

Need to be picky about content

Focus on creativity and child control

High quality and engaging, but also entertaining

Context: what happens before, during, and after media use

Ask questions

Create context (connect to book or activity)

Expand experience beyond the screen

Child: what is appropriate for each child and situation

What is this specific child interested in?

How long is this child’s attention span?

+ Cultural Relevancy: show diversity and understand

different needs of your patrons

No or very little screen time simply isn’t an option for many families.

Program & Service Ideas

How Much Screen Time: Families

Storytimes

Use an app as a center activity after storytime:

Miximal: flip and choose a head/body/feet to

create a new animal· Phonological Awareness

Sesame Street Makes Music: dance with Elmo

to nursery rhymes; virtually play instruments

from around the world· Hand-eye coordination

Dip Dap: draw shapes that come to life to help

Dip Dap go into space· Shape Recognition

Endless Alphabet: spells and defines new words

with animated scenes· Vocabulary

Use an app to tell a story:

The Monster at the End of This Book App

Felt Board: create flannel sets virtually with

different shapes, colors, and backgrounds

Older Children

Have children examine their proposed screen

time activity. Is it high quality? Have they done a

variety of activities today? Is this screen time

activity engaging or passive?

Younger Children

For younger children, make a chart showing the

most important activities to your family. Has the

child completed all other important activities

today before using a screen?

Healthy

Screen Time

Quality

Balance

Engagement

Outside

Chores

Reading

Playing

Creating

Quiet

Screen Time

Focus on Joint Media Engagement between adult and child, highlighting ready to read

practices and focusing on interactivity and shared experiences.

Programs:

Tinker Tuesday: free play with library’s tech toys

Design comics using iPads

Coding or robotics clubs

Digital media training for parents/grandparents

Circulating Items:

Tinkering Toys: iPads, Makey Makeys, Raspberry

Pi , Ozbots, Spheros, VR devices

STEAM or maker kits

Passive Awareness:

App of the Week/Month on bulletin board, book

display, or public newsletter

Flyers recommending new media materials for

specific age groups

Online communication format