If you're looking for a way to introduce your kid to the wonders of literature this summer, you're far from the only parent in New York City on the same quest.
Teaching children the skills they need to learn before they can read and write, New York Public Library summer early literacy programs are "as popular as they've ever been," NYPL children's librarian Maggie Craig said.
"In a lot of New York neighborhoods, they’re so popular that we’ve gone to ticket distribution systems and doing back-to-back session so we can accommodate the crowds that show up — which is a great problem to have.”
Storytimes attract a diverse group of kids ages six and under and their caregivers, a group that includes parents, nannies and teachers.
Children's librarians leading the programs tailor their reading selections to the age and communities of their audiences.
"Babies and toddlers are very responsive to musical, lyrical read-alouds that have simple text and good rhythm and repetitive language and nice, bold, easy-to-see illustrations," said Craig, who works at the Hamilton Grange branch in West Harlem. ”As kids get older...we begin to feature books that have more vocabulary, more complex text and also we really love rhymes for that age."
Added the librarian, "We make sure that we feature stories that represent diverse families, diverse cultures, races and world views so [kids] see themselves reflected in the books."
In Manhattan, children can also attend special summer reading programs that expose them to the folktales and myths of other countries and others that invite them to listen to picture books read aloud in the park.
Find the best early literacy program in the borough for your child on the map below:
