Don't be bored this February break! Join us in this episode of Adventures in Parenting as Jessi and Erin talk with Brian Schwartz, the head of the Teen Department at the Patchogue- Medford Library and an experienced board gamer. Brian talks about the benefits of family gaming, shares top game picks, and talks about integrating board games and gaming into libraries. Learn how playing board games can stimulate the brain, promote learning, and strengthen bonds for kids and adults.  Episode #10, February 2024 For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #10 Resource Guide.

Join Jessi and Erin this month for a two part series on Families and Finances. Part 1 of the series focuses on how parents can help educate their children on money, even if they are not great at it themselves! Listen as guest and financial educator, Jonathan Greene discusses all aspects of financial literacy for children, including setting financial goals, establishing the difference between wants vs. needs, budgeting and more....  Episode #8, January 2024 For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #8 Resource Guide.

Join Jessi and Erin this month for a two part series on Families and Finances. For Part 2 of the series, Financial Educator, Jonathan Greene is back! This time guiding parents on how to successfully build a financial future for their children. Jonathan touches on the many ways parents can save for their child's post High School plans and how saving for their own retirement is a crucial part of protecting their children's financial future! Episode #9, January 2024 For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #9 Resource Guide.

Right on time for all of those new devices hitting your households this holiday season, Erin and Jessi are joined by  Children’s Librarian and Digital Literacy Specialist, Ms. Elaine Perez, to speak about understanding media literacy and navigating screen time and overall online wellbeing.

It's almost holiday gift giving season, so Erin and Jessi invited the Toy Association's Anna Yudina back to share tips for choosing the best STEAM toys! They are also joined by Miss Elizabeth, the Patchogue-Medford Library's STEAM librarian, to learn why introducing STEAM concepts to children through play and toys is so important.  Episode #6, November 2023 For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #6 Resource Guide. Don't forget to check out the STEAM toy tips on the Genius of Play website and of course, stop by the Library's STEAM focused Tinker Lab any time and make sure to check the Library's events calendar (Select “Event Type” STEM/STEAM) for fun STEAM programming with Miss Elizabeth!

Erin and Jessi are focused on fun this month by learning about the 6 developmental benefits of play! To help educate them, they are joined by the Toy Association's Anna Yudina, who is spearheading the organization's "Genius of Play" initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the crucial part play has in child development. We're also hearing from the Patchogue-Medford Library's own Miss Mary who passes on tips and tricks from her own experience with play in our Library! Episode #5, October 2023 For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #5 Resource Guide. Don't forget to check out the play ideas on the Genius of Play website (https://thegeniusofplay.org/ )and of course, check the Library's events calendar for fun programming designed with your child's development in mind!

Erin and Jessi talk to representatives from Safe Harbour, a nonprofit community organization dedicated to keeping children safe from online exploitation and trafficking.  Episode #4, September 2023 For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #4 Resource Guide.

Erin and Jessi listen and learn from Trish Graham, Founder and President of Patchogue-Medford's SEPTA (Special Education Parent & Teacher Association) and PML's own Special Needs Coordinator, Joyce Thompson-Haas.  Episode #3, August 2023 For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #3 Resource Guide.

Erin and Jessi talk with local Hometown Explorer and PML Librarian, Miss Alyson to learn about the (mostly) free and local boredom buster spots to take your family this summer.  Episode #2, July 2023 For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #2 Resource Guide

Erin and Jessi speak with Patchogue-Medford School District Librarian, Jeanne Huggard to learn about why reading over the summer is so important for children and how to encourage your reluctant reader to stick with it! Episode #1, June 2023 For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Adventures in Parenting Episode #1 Resource Guide.