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The article discusses the science of reading (SOR), decodable books, and changes in reading instruction for preschoolers. Topics include how libraries are responding to SOR, importance of background knowledge to the development of strong readers, and suggestions for parents during read-alouds of children.

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 advantages and disadvantages of ebooks for young children. Topics covered include a 2019 study which has found that toddlers are less interested when reading tablet-based books with parents, the benefits of using ebooks in virtual story times, and tips for parents and librarians when purchasing ebooks of picture books and board books.

The article feature the Grab and Go activity created by Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) since the Covid-19 pandemic started. Topics discussed include ideas for hands-on, take-home activities from librarian colleagues across the country, practical tips for librarians including offering starter kits to families with basics like child-safe scissors, glue sticks, crayons and papers.

The article discusses strategies to use in virtual class visits and programs to ensure one reaches young children in meaningful ways. These include making the virtual class tangible and sensory, asking open-ended questions, and demonstrating how to let children lead, what they might do, and how one can narrate their play to encourage language development.

The article suggests ideas for family and caregivers to connect with young children virtually and make the best of video encounters. These include playing games like peekaboo, tea party, and scavenger hunt; reading a board book or picture book; and talking through eating a meal together, telling childhood stories, and playing a vocabulary-building game.

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 discusses how to address digital interruptions like incoming text, taking and posting pictures, or fielding app notifications, during storytime. Topics include how Linda Ernst, an author and a retired children's librarian, encourages grown-ups to avoid using phones during storytime, ways to encourage positive use of phones during programs, and reason it is important not to judge or shame parents for their phone use.

The article explores how brain-building activities are being incorporated in storytime sessions for children at various libraries in the U.S. Topics covered include features of the "Time for Twos" storytime sessions at Saint Charles City County Library in Missouri, some of the executive function skills that are being developed at storytime activities like building working memory and self-control and the freeze-dance tune that is used to end storytimes at Washington County Library.

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 discusses how libraries can help immigrant children in the U.S. Topics covered include the effort taken by Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) staff after learning about the separation of immigrant families, ways libraries can mitigate the experiences of immigrant children, and the collaboration of Patrick Sullivan, co-chair of the Children in Crisis (CIC) project, and colleagues, with a secure local foster agency, to provide children's books and 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 features the Coding Express released by LEGO Education in August 2018, wherein children ages two and older can use contemporary coding concepts to program a train set.

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 offers insights on discussing race issues with children. Topics discussed include information on a teacher workshop at the Brooklyn Public Library "Talking About Race in the Classroom," a study finding from "Child Development" on some five-year-old white children, and a 2007 study finding that nonwhite parents are more likely to discuss race than white parents.

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.