Child Development

1. Library Catalog - Find Books, Media and Pamphlets

PCC's online catalog is a database of books, media, pamphlets and course reserves located in the library's collection. To find resources in the library by subject, you will need a call number which is based on the Dewey Decimal Classification System and leads you to the specific item on the shelf. To find the call number, use the library catalog.

Basic Search

Use the Basic Search to look for an item using its exact subject heading, title or author's name (last, first).

To find information about a person, use Basic Search by subject.
To find information on a topic, use Basic Search by subject.

To search by subject, select 'Subject Search', then type in the subject heading.

Examples of subject headings:

  • Activity programs
  • Child development
  • Child psychology
  • Childcare
  • Creative activities
  • Early childhood education
  • Education
  • Infants
  • Play
  • Preschool
  • Preschool children
  • Reading readiness
  • Toddlers

Check related subjects too:

  • Child care services
  • Children - Books and reading
  • Children - Growth
  • Children - Institutional care
  • Children with disabilities
  • Education, Primary
  • Education, Preschool
  • Kindergarten
  • Motor ability in children
  • School-age child care

To search by title, select 'Title Search', then type in the first few words of the title. Skip the first word of the title if it is an article, e.g. 'a', 'an' or 'the'.

To search by author, select 'Author Search', then type in the author's last name, then first name, e.g. 'VanCleave, Janice Pratt'.

Advanced Search

If Basic Search is unsuccessful use Advanced Search to combine topics.

Examples of combined searches:

Search for: Children[all of these], Search in: [Subject]
AND
Search for: games toys [any of these], Search in: [Keyword Anywhere]

Search for: preschool children [as a phrase], Search in: [Keyword Anywhere]
AND
Search for: teaching [all of these], Search in: [Keyword Anywhere]

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2. Reference Books

Basically, there are two kinds of reference books: general resources, which are broad in scope and deal with all fields; and specialized resources, which deal with specific disciplines such as education. The titles cited below are only a representative sample of many specialized reference books that are available in the library.

Specialized Dictionaries

  • APA Dictionary of Psychology REF 150.3 A 2
  • Dictionary of Childhood Health Problems REF 618.92 G 13
  • Facts on File Dictionary of Education REF 370.3 S 1
  • Learning Theories A to Z REF 370.3 L 1

Specialized Encyclopedias

  • Autism Encyclopedia REF 616.85882 A 1
  • Child Development REF 155.4 C 1
  • Encyclopedia of American Education REF 370.973 U 1
  • Encyclopedia of Child Abuse REF 362.76 C 9
  • Encyclopedia of Education REF 370.3 E 2
  • Handbook of Child Psychology REF 155.4 H 1
  • World Education Encyclopedia REF 370.3 W 1

Almanacs and Yearbooks

  • Statistical Abstract of the United States REF 317.3 U 1
  • World Almanac and Book of Facts REF 310 W 1

Handbooks, Manuals, Directories

  • Guide to Your Child's Symptoms: the Official, Complete Home Reference Birth Through Adolescence REF 618.92 G 12
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3. Databases and Indexes - Find Articles

  • Encyclopedia Britannica Online The complete Encyclopedia Britannica with related web links.
  • Use Proquest, a database of periodical articles, to find articles about child development. As with the catalog, search under a variety of terms. Use Proquest also for access to the LA Times, USA Today and New York Times.
  • Use SIRS Knowledge Source , a database of both periodicals and government resources. Look under "Government Reporter", Domestic Affairs, Education, or search by government department (eg. Education Department).
  • Periodical Title List (http://dv2dw2vb3l.search.serialssolutions.com/) Find out if the Library has an online or paper subscription to a particular magazine, newspaper, or journal title.
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4. Resources on the World Wide Web

Finding reliable information on the web can be difficult.
Use the Librarians' Internet Index www.lii.org or see recommended websites below.

Education Digest
http://www.eddigest.com/
Parents.com
http://www.parents.com/
Bilingual Education Resources on the Net
http://www.estrellita.com/bil.html
Child Welfare Information Gateway
http://www.childwelfare.gov/
Early Childhood.com
http://www.earlychildhood.com/
ERIC Educational Resouces Information Center
http://www.eric.ed.gov/
Gateway to 21st Century Skills
http://www.thegateway.org/
NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children
http://www.naeyc.org/
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last updated: 11/06/2008 by M. Laun and P. Johnson revision #1