Nyack Basics by Valley Cottage Library: Maximize Love, Manage Stress
Information and materials related to the Nyack Basics Campaign
Why is this important?
Infants and toddlers thrive when their world feels loving, safe, and predictable. When you express your love and respond to their needs, you teach them that they can count on you. Over time, showing love and responding to your child helps them learn to manage their feelings and behavior. As they grow, feeling secure in their relationships gives them the confidence they need to explore, learn, and take on life’s challenges.
Videos in English and Spanish about Maximizing Love and Managing Stress in everyday life.Tips for caring for infants
With Your Infant (0-12 months)
- Hold, kiss, and cuddle. Provide lots of loving attention and touch. Babies don’t get spoiled, so there is no need to hold back on showing love.
- Respond to them. Answer your baby in a loving voice when they make a sound or movement.
- Play together. Hold your baby close, smile, and make silly sounds or faces. Play games like “peek-a-boo.” Take a break if they seem overwhelmed or try to look away.
- Comfort them. Comfort your baby when they get fussy or cry. They might be tired, hungry, or uncomfortable. Try rocking them or singing a lullaby. It will take time to learn what works best.
- Have a routine. Have consistent times and ways of doing daily activities like feeding, bathing, reading, and bedtime. Routines help babies and young children feel safe and know what to expect. They also help adults manage stress.
Books on Caring for Infants
The Baby Owner's Manual by Call Number: J 649.122 BORISBN: 9781594745973Publication Date: 2012-09-10At Last! A Beginner's Guide to Newborn Baby Technology! Through step-by-step instructions and helpful schematic diagrams, The Baby Owner's Manual explores hundreds of frequently asked questions- What's the best way to swaddle a baby? How can I make my newborn sleep through the night? When should I bring the baby to a doctor for servicing? Whatever your concerns, you'll find the answers here!
Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, 6th Edition by Call Number: J 649.122 AMEISBN: 9780553393828Publication Date: 2014-11-04From the American Academy of Pediatrics, the most up-to-date, expert advice for mothers, fathers, and care providers. This essential resource from the most respected organization on child health is the one guide pediatricians routinely recommend and parents can safely trust, covering everything from preparing for childbirth to toilet training to nurturing your child's self-esteem.
The Happiest Baby on the Block; Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition by Call Number: J 649.122 KARISBN: 9780553393231Publication Date: 2015-10-06Thousands of parents, from regular moms and dads to Hollywood superstars, have come to baby expert Dr. Harvey Karp to learn his remarkable techniques for soothing babies and increasing sleep. Now his landmark book--fully revised and updated with the latest insights into infant sleep, bedsharing, breastfeeding, swaddling, and SIDS risk--can teach you too!
Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Year by Call Number: J 649.122 MAYISBN: 9781561487509Publication Date: 2012-05-01Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Year is a steady, ever-present source of both information and wisdom. When you're faced with a perplexing development, reach for this complete Guide by the baby experts at the renowned Mayo Clinic,doctors who are also parents. When you wonder what might happen next, check the "Month-by-Month Growth and Development" pages of this trusted companion.
Books for Infants
All Kinds of Kisses by Call Number: BB TAFURIISBN: 9780316122368Publication Date: 2014-12-16There are all kinds of kisses. Cheep kisses... moo kisses... baa kisses... coo kisses... But the best kiss of all is Mommy's kiss goodnight. Mamas all across the farm cozy up with their little ones with cuddles and sweet affection. This lulling read-aloud, with animal sounds labeled on every page, will encourage young readers to join in as they are reminded how much they are cherished.
The Daddy Book by Call Number: BB PARRISBN: 9780316257848Publication Date: 2015-05-05Some daddies sing in the shower Some daddies wear two different socks All daddies want you to be who you are! With his trademark childlike art, Todd Parr celebrates all different kinds of fathers.
Do Your Happy Dance! by Call Number: BB SCHULZISBN: 9781481458924Publication Date: 2016-03-29Dream big, try your best, then do your happy dance with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang in this uplifting board book that's perfect for gift-giving! Having a can-do attitude, working hard, and refusing to give up--even if someone calls you a blockhead--is the biggest accomplishment of all!
Mommy and Me by Call Number: BB MOMMYISBN: 9781474845977Publication Date: 2017-01-17Wiggle the cute elephant puppet and enjoy a beautiful story - with Mommy Little Learners Mommy and Me is an adorable board book featuring a fun finger puppet elephant built into the story, encouraging interactive play, hand-eye coordination and language development in your little one.
The Mommy Book by Call Number: BB PARRISBN: 9780316337748Publication Date: 2016-04-05Some mommies sing you songs. Some mommies read you stories. All mommies want you to be who you are! Todd Parr celebrates all different kinds of mothers. Whether mommies work far away or at home, cook or order pizza, they are all lots of fun and filled with love.
Sweet Child of Mine by Call Number: BB ChurchISBN: 9780545647717Publication Date: 2014-08-26An endearing and enduring story of love from bestselling author and illustrator Caroline Jayne Church! Church returns with an emotional story that proves no matter how much things in life change, one thing lasts forever: a parent's love. With Caroline's signature art style and heartwarming rhymes, Sweet Child of Mine is destined to stand the test of time.
Who Is in Your Family? by Call Number: BB ROOKIEISBN: 9780531204900Publication Date: 2014-09-01Rookie Toddler board books are bursting with the enthusiasm of a toddler exploring the world for the first time. Engaging text and adorable artwork and photos introduce toddlers to familiar first experiences in these playful die-cut board books. Key Features: Die-cut tabs make the books easy for toddlers to hold and turn pages Simple engaging text to read aloud to toddlers Big bold artwork, photos, or photo illustrations make each book visually appealing Nonfiction titles - all based on a curriculum developed by early childhood experts
Tips for caring for your toddler
With Your Toddler (12-36 months)
- Snuggle up. Hug and cuddle with your toddler so they feel safe and loved.
- Encourage them. Be supportive and encouraging when your child tries new things.
- Involve them. Invite your toddler to help with everyday tasks, like handing you clothes for the laundry.
- Talk about feelings. Help your child describe how they feel. Let them know that all feelings are OK, and that you are there for them when they are happy or upset.
- Offer choices. Offer choices like what to wear or eat, but give a limited number of options. For example, “It’s time for a snack. Do you want an apple or grapes?”
- Set basic limits. Focus on safety-related rules like not hitting people. Put "No" in front of the thing you don't want your child to do, then distract them with another activity. Use the same rules consistently so your child learns them. Do your best to stay calm.
Books on Caring for Toddlers
The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Call Number: J 649.122 KARISBN: 9780553802566Publication Date: 2004-03-02From the renowned pediatrician who taught parents how to calm their crying babies in "The Happiest Baby on the Block" comes a breakthrough book that explains a new way to raise a secure and well-behaved 1 to 4 year old and prevent a toddler's tantrums.
Jo Frost's Toddler Rules by Call Number: J 649.122 FROISBN: 9780345542380Publication Date: 2014-03-04From the beloved TV disciplinarian and bestselling author of Supernanny comes an amazingly simple five-step program of Toddler Rules to help parents tame tantrums, prevent bad behavior, and create long-term peace and stability in the home.
What to Expect the Second Year by Call Number: J 649.122 MURISBN: 9780761152774Publication Date: 2011-04-15What to Expect the Second Year picks up the action at baby's first birthday, and takes parents through what can only be called "the wonder year"--12 jam-packed months of memorable milestones (from first steps to first words, first scribbles to first friends), lightning-speed learning, endless explorations driven by insatiable curiosity. Not to mention a year of challenges, both for toddlers and the parents who love them, but don't always love their behaviors (picky eating, negativity, separation anxiety, bedtime battles, biting, and tantrums). Comprehensive, reassuring, empathetic, realistic, and practical, What to Expect the Second Year is filled with solutions, strategies, and plenty of parental pep talks.
Books for Toddlers
Baby Love by Call Number: JP DITERLIZZIISBN: 9781442433922Publication Date: 2015-04-14This cozy and cuddly picture book celebrates all the most wonderful things about babies and is perfect for reading aloud to little ones.
Bunny Roo, I Love You by Call Number: JP MARRISBN: 9780399167423Publication Date: 2015-04-14A warm and tender welcome to the world!a In a gorgeous picture book that's playfully sweet and visually captivating. Celebrate the many ways parents make their new babies feel at home. a The world can seem like a big, bewildering place for new babies-fortunately, their mamas know just how to soothe and comfort them. Through enchanting scenes portraying all kinds of mama animals looking out for their little ones, the mother in this story reassures her baby, and young children everywhere, that their caretakers will always love them and keep them safe.
Hand in Hand by Call Number: JP WELLSISBN: 9781627794343Publication Date: 2016-09-06Be my teacher from day one. Be my sky, my moon, my sun. The bond a parent and child share is special. In this sweet and heartfelt picture book, renowned author-illustrator Rosemary Wells celebrates all that parents do with and for their children from the very beginning: talking and walking, feeding and reading, playing and dreaming, and more. Spectacular art and a powerful message!
Happy by Call Number: BB DODDISBN: 0763680087Publication Date: 2015-12-08This new addition to Emma Dodd's much-loved sequence of animal books features a tenderly composed rhyming text, heartwarming illustrations, and flurries of foil throughout. Exploring the loving relationship between one little owl and his mommy, this beautifully designed picture book is certain to become a bedtime favorite.
I Heart You by Call Number: JP FLEMINGISBN: 9781442488953Publication Date: 2016-12-06This tender, rhyming picture book is a lively celebration of love. Little ones adore being independent and trying new things. But they also need Mom and Dad's reassurance and snuggles. With her spare, lyrical text, debut author Meg Fleming captures the exuberance, the affection, and the tender push-and-pull of life with a child. And illustrator Sarah Jane Wright's evocative illustrations infuse the story with generous helpings of warmth and love.
I Love My Baby Because... by Call Number: JP SIMONSISBN: 9780008102111Publication Date: 2015-04-07Cuddle up at bedtime with this funny and comforting book. A mother celebrates everything her toddler can do, throughout her daily routine. And from the fun (and chaos) of getting dressed and feeding, to snuggling up for a bedtime story, there are certainly a lot of very special moments Full of cuddles and unconditional love, with plenty of visual humour, this celebration of toddlerhood is perfect for parent and child to share.
I Love You More and More by Call Number: JP BENSONISBN: 9781680100228Publication Date: 2016-03-01I love you more than the stars love to sparkle in the sky� Bear loves Cub more than trees, mountains, and stars. As they explore the world together, Bear's love for Cub just grows, and grows, and grows!
When I Grow Up by Call Number: JP DODDISBN: 9780763679859Publication Date: 2015-09-22A celebration of love between a bear and cub. "When I grow up I want to be clever and funny, wild and free." One little bear shares his hopes and dreams in this picture-book treasure from the ever-popular Emma Dodd. This line of books features rhyming text and delightful artwork that is embellished with foil throughout.
When You Were Born by Call Number: JP DODDISBN: 9780763674052Publication Date: 2015-02-10A loving celebration of all kinds of babies. What does a new baby's arrival mean to his or her parents? We find out as we travel around the world, meeting an adorable baby seal, baby elephant, and baby person!
Maximize Love, Manage YOU!
Take care of yourself. When life gets stressful, it’s important to take care of yourself so you can be there for your child. Try sharing tasks with friends or family members, taking walks, doing a hobby you enjoy, or practicing deep breathing. Try different strategies and see what works best for you. Be sure to ask for help when you need it, and talk to your doctor if you often feel sad or stressed. All parents and caregivers need help.