Early Literacy at The New York Public Library

 

Parents and caregivers are a child’s most important teacher. Help your child develop essential language skills by doing these early literacy activities together every day.
 

Family Literacy Workshops give parents coaching and tips on how to read to their children and better prepare them for school.

Bronx Locations: Allerton, Baychester, Belmont, Bronx Library Center, Castle Hill, City Island, Clason's Point, Eastchester, Edenwald, Francis Martin, Grand Concourse, High Bridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Melrose, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mosholu, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Pelham Bay, Pelham Parkway-Van Nest, Riverdale, Sedgwick, Soundview, Spuyten Duyvil, Throg's Neck, Tremont, Van Cortlandt, Wakefield, West Farms, Westchester Square, Woodlawn Heights, and Woodstock

Manhattan Locations:  125th Street, 42nd Street Children's Center, 53rd Street, 58th Street, 67th Street, 96th Street, Aguilar, Battery Park City, Bloomingdale, Chatham Square, Columbus, Countee Cullen, Epiphany, Fort Washington, George Bruce, Grand Central, Hamilton Fish, Hamilton Grange, Harlem, Harry Belafonte 115th Street , Hudson Park, Inwood, Jefferson Market, Kips Bay, Macomb's Bridge, Morningside Heights, Muhlenberg, Mulberry Street, New Amsterdam, Ottendorfer, Riverside, Roosevelt Island, Seward Park, St. Agnes, Tompkins Square,  Washington Heights, Webster, and Yorkville

Staten Island Locations: Dongan Hills, Great Kills, Huguenot Park, Mariner's Harbor, New Dorp, Port Richmond, Richmondtown, St. George Library Center, South Beach, Stapleton, Todt Hill, Tottenville,  and West New Brighton

It's never too early for books and reading! Even very young babies love hearing stories and looking at pictures.

 

Set aside a special time for reading. Nightly bedtime stories work well for many families, but any time of day is good. Just find a cozy spot and get started.

 

Find favorites. Many children love to hear the same stories over and over. It comforts them and helps develop language skills.  

 

Visit your local library. Libraries offer an array of free programs and resources—from books to story times and family literacy workshops.

 

Learn more about how you can build your child's early literacy skills with these resources offered throughout New York:

Other Libraries

Brooklyn Public Library: Offers a rich array of early literacy programs at its 59 locations throughout the borough.

Queens Library: Provides classes and events for children 0–5 and their families and caregivers.
 

Early Literacy Organizations

City's First Readers: Provides resources that support early reading development for children. An initiative by the New York City Council.

Jumpstart: Leverages the power of community and adult-child relationships to build key language and literacy skills.

Literacy Partners: Strengthens families by empowering parents through education.

Parent-Child Home Program: Provides the necessary skills and tools to build school readiness.

Reach Out and Read of Greater New York: Partners with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.

Literacy Inc.: Builds neighborhood networks that support young readers by working with school, library, and community partners.
 

Cultural Institutions

Cool Culture: Helps families access 90 of NYC's cultural institutions for free.

Children's Museum of the Arts: Brings hands-on art programming to children throughout New York City.

Children's Museum of Manhattan: Helps children learn through creative environments that support play, imagination, curiosity, and discovery.

Children's Museum of Staten Island: Demonstrates through hands-on activities that learning can be exciting and fun.

Children's Museum of Brooklyn: Teaches children through exhibits in history, science, world cultures, and more.

The New Victory Theater: Transports children and families to other worlds through storytelling and performance.

New York City's Children's Theater: Creates original, entertaining, and enriching theater for children and adults to enjoy together.
 

At Home

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Information and resources for you and your child's health.

Little eLit: For educational apps, articles, and media.

WNET, THIRTEEN, PBS: Educational media for you and your child.

Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, The Early Learning Collaborative: Creates family engagement materials that promote discussion, early literacy, success in school, and beyond.

Common Sense Media: Ratings, recommendations, and guidance about movies, apps, and games for kids. Check out Reviews, Top Picks and Family Guides.

PBS KIDS: Educational games, videos, and resources for you and your child.

Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence: Information on prevention and protection.