Early literacy is the foundation of future success.
City’s First Readers engages parents, caregivers, and communities across New York City to ensure all children develop critical early literacy skills.
About
City’s First Readers
City’s First Readers, an initiative of the New York City Council, is a collaboration of nonprofits and libraries that work together to create opportunities for community driven early literacy programs that benefit children and families from all New York City neighborhoods.
Featured Neighborhood Events
Find free events to learn, play, and discover in your neighborhood
25 Jan, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Virtual East New York and Kings Highway Brainy Babies
Join us for a brain-building program on Zoom for children 0-3 years and their parents or caregivers in the East New York and Kings Highway communities. This program will include stories, early literacy tips, baby bounces, craft ideas, musical performances, show and tell, and more! Prepare your child for 3-K and beyond! This program has an ASL interpreter. Please note this is a 7 week series. Once registered you will be emailed the Zoom information for all 7 sessions. The dates for the program are 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, (no program on 2/15 due to President’s Day), 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, and 3/15.
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25 Jan, 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Virtual Toddler Time
Toddler Time Enjoy stories and play. 18 to 36 months.
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25 Jan, 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Virtual Urdu Storytime
**While our in-person events are on hold, we are offering virtual programming via Facebook Live broadcasts from our branches!** Join us for virtual Urdu storytime with books, songs, and tips in Urdu for your child to acquire early literacy, fine motor, and language developmental skills. View the broadcast on the Brooklyn Public Library Family Facebook Page.
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26 Jan, 10:00 am – 10:30 am
Virtual Kids Create! First 5 Years
Join us every Tuesday for a new art project you can easily replicate at home. These fun artistic exploration with help your little one develop their creativity and their fine motor skills. Each new video will is posted Tuesday mornings at 9am and can be found on our Facebook page: facebook.com/ClintonHillLibrary
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Resources for Parents
Get tips, advice, and resources for supporting early literacy skills
City’s First Readers
Preschoolers 3 – 5 Years Old
Parents, you are your child’s first, and most influential teacher! City’s First Readers has a number of resources to help you build strong literacy skills with your children. It’s much easier than you think, and we give you ideas to make learning fun for the entire family.
City’s First Readers
Toddlers 2 – 3 Years Old
Parents, you are your child’s first, and most influential teacher! City’s First Readers has a number of resources to help you build strong literacy skills with your children. It’s much easier than you think, and we give you ideas to make learning fun for the entire family.
City’s First Readers
Babies 0 – 2 Years Old
Parents, you are your child’s first, and most influential teacher! City’s First Readers has a number of resources to help you build strong literacy skills with your children. It’s much easier than you think, and we give you ideas to make learning fun for the entire family.
Latest News
Read news, press, and updates from City’s First Readers Partners
LINC’s Letter to the New York Times
A response to the article School Reforms Fail to Lift U.S. On Global Test, published on December 3rd, 2019
Our Children Deserve Excellence
LINC empowers parents to lead change in their communities so that all children can grow up reading. Read about Silvia’s leadership in action
Daddy and Me
For the seventh year, LINC led community programs for Dads Take Your Child to School Day
LINC’s Response to Ocasio-Cortez’s Anti-Poverty Initiative “A Just Society”
If we are going to address the systems that are the root causes of poverty, we cannot ignore literacy