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Parents of young children are hearing about the science of reading, decodable books, and recent changes in reading instruction, and wondering what these things mean for their preschoolers. During a [...]

A BILINGUAL STAFF MEMBER RECALLS CHATTING with a Spanish-speaking mother who frequented storytime at the Cypress Hills Library, a branch of the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) located in a predominantly [...]

When the pandemic hit and public libraries closed, collection funds at many libraries diverted toward ebooks, including ebooks of board books and picture books. While ebooks for little ones are [...]

Since the pandemic started, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) has created free 'Grab and Go' activity kits, which are colorfully nestled by the checkout machines at the Flatbush Library branch. Four-year-old [...]

Whether it's blended learning, fully remote, learning pod, or childcare, early learning is more of a mixed bag than ever. About 90 percent of preschool classrooms closed in March. Many [...]

Many grandparents and relatives love catching a glimpse of young family members on video chat. But it's challenging to keep kids engaged for more than a few moments. While video [...]

Census pop quiz: Do newborn babies count in the 2020 United States census? Yes! What about babies still in the hospital? Yes! What is the most undercounted age group in [...]

These days, it seems like screens are everywhere--and they are. The average adult spends about three hours a day on their smartphone (bit.ly/37PpS8W), and 98 percent of households with children [...]

Simple motor tasks can also be brain-building activities. A motion as seemingly straightforward as crossing the midline--an imaginary vertical line separating the left and right sides of one's body--can create [...]

When New York Public Library (NYPL) launched Nanny-Meetups, informal programs offering childcare providers early literacy information and ideas for playful enrichment, it forged a connection with a group that uses [...]

How can libraries help? By doing what we do best. After learning about the separation of immigrant families, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) staff sought ways to help. The Youth and [...]

Research says young children's awareness of gender can start as early as eight months, when they show visual preferences for gender-linked toys. By age one, they begin to categorize individuals [...]

At a Crown Heights Library storytime in Brooklyn. NY, children's librarian Stefanie Sinn pulls out a Hoberman Sphere, a plastic structure that can expand and contract. After a demonstration, she [...]

At a Science Baby program at the Bushwick branch of the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), two toddlers explored blocks of ice in plastic tubs and carefully poured colored salt over [...]

A critical 21st-century skill, coding is infused more and more into games, apps, toys, and curricula for young children. Now, with the launch of LEGO's Coding Express, children ages two [...]

We've all experienced those heartwarming moments: A months-old baby comes with Mom to the library. The proud mother applies for her child's very first library card. An excited kindergartner gets [...]

Authors' note: We are two white library professionals, and this article is written from our perspective. We are grateful to the women of color and anti-racism educators quoted here who [...]

In late march, we and our colleagues at the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) were at our desks when our cellphones all beeped simultanously with the same text message: 'Find a [...]

The article focuses on bilingual programs at the Cypress Hills Library in Brooklyn, New York. Topics discussed include finding ways to support those who were English language learners (ELL), benefits children's overall learning due to speaking two languages, and professor Jamie Campbell Naidoo on engaging learning opportunities for children whose first language is not English.

The article offers information on the Little Genius Starter Kit, an educational game from Osmo which is designed for children ages three to five that weaves digital and physical play.

The article discusses the role of librarians in helping ensure young children are accounted for in the 2020 U.S. census. Topics include percentage of children who were not counted in the 2010 census, variation in household structure as a key reason for undercounting according to research on the 2010 census, and the plan of U.S. libraries to use the book "We Count!: A 2020 Census Counting Book for Young Children and the Grownups Who Love Them" about counting and diverse household structures.

The article offers information on professional development being offered by libraries for childcare providers. Topics discussed include the launch of Nanny-Meetups informal programs by New York Public Library (NYPL) which offer childcare providers early literary information and ideas for playful enrichment, the professional development program Nanny & Me designed by Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) in Spring 2019, and initiatives that bring staff and materials to home- and center-based programs.

The article focuses on gender expression and library services for young children. Topics discussed include changes made by libraries in how language is used, how books shared can have an impact, the need for librarians to make sure gender distinctions on booklists and displays do not promote stereotypes.

The article presents several mindfulness practices during storytime sessions that school librarians can initiate to help improve calm and focus among students.

The article reports on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education for young children. It mentions library activity programs that introduce exploration of the world around the children, the importance of developing language and comprehension, and presents several activities and suggestions for getting started.

The article discusses the relevance of baby-friendly card policies in U.S. public libraries. It states that these policies encourage literacy and library use from birth, according to a survey of librarians via library listservs and social media. Hannah Killian, youth services manager at the Dauphin County Library Sytems, also says having these policies would remove the barriers to library access, with babies benefiting from reading starting at birth.

The article presents information on KUBO, an educational robot that teaches children about coding or programming concepts in a screen-free environment, from KUBO Robotics and Pitsco Education.

The article discusses the early-learning texting initiative developed by New York City's Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) for parents enrolled in BPL's Ready, Set, Kindergarten! (RSK) program. The goal of the program is to increase parent engagement in early literacy activities at home, as well as explore new ways to share tips with parents. The inspiration for the project as well as the outcome of the effort are explored.