Early Literacy

The New York Public Library offers free programs, books, and resources to help little ones read, learn, and have fun! Come to your local branch and engage in a wide variety of free early childhood programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Activities for Little Learners

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    Little Learners Programs

    Come to the Library for music, movement, and multilingual fun for early learners with our friends WeBop, Bilingual Birdies, Teatro SEA, and more! 

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    At-Home Play Guides

    The early literacy team at NYPL hopes you and your little ones have fun with these recipes for play using everyday materials!

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    Download: Early Literacy Activities

    The activities in this booklet will help develop important early literacy skills at your local library and at home.

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    NYPL Sings

    Listen to an original album created by children's librarians at NYPL. Each song encourages early literacy skills that you can do with your child every day!

Visit the Library

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    Find a Location Near You

    Join us in branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island for free programs, resources, and more.

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    Attend Free Family Programs

    Join the Library for storytimes, art and play activities, and support for parents and caregivers.

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    Get a Library Card

    Head to your nearest branch to get your child’s first library card and access millions of books, e-books, and learning resources—with no late fines!

Early Literacy en Español & 普通话

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    Español (Spanish)

    ¡La biblioteca ofrece programas, libros y recursos gratuitos para ayudar a los pequeños y pequeñas a leer, aprender y divertirse! Ven a tu biblioteca local y participa de una amplia variedad de programas gratuitos para niños y niñas desde bebés hasta la edad preescolar.

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    普通话 (Simplified Chinese)

    本图书馆提供一系列免费的活动、书籍和资源，帮助孩子阅读、学习，享受乐趣！请前往您当地的分馆，参加各种各样为婴幼儿和学龄前儿童免费提供的早期教育活动。

These programs and initiatives are part of the Library’s Tisch Youth Education Programs, led by the Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education. Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.

Major support for children's and young adult programming is provided by the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences.

Major support for youth education is provided by The Gottesman Fund; Jane Lauder; the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF); Mr. and Mrs. Timothy R. Barakett Endowment for Children’s and Young Adult Programs and Services; E.H.A. Foundation, Inc.; Mr. and Mrs. Evan R. Chesler; Robert A. and Elizabeth R. Jeffe Foundation; Michael ByungJu Kim and the MBK Educational Foundation; Karen Sue Smith and Rose DiMartino; New York Life Foundation; the Gray Foundation; and City’s First Readers, an initiative made possible with funding from the New York City Council.