Early Literacy

Current research on early literacy and brain development indicates that it is never too early to prepare children for success as readers. Early literacy skills begin to develop in the first 5 years of life. Your child's early experiences with books and language lay the foundation for success in learning to read.

Can’t get to the Library for storytime?  Check out a Backpack Storytime! 

Each Backpack Storytime contains 3-4 books on a particular theme, a media component, manipulatives such as puppets and puzzles, and suggested enrichment activities.  Designed for children ages 3 years and up, Backpack Storytimes circulate for up to fourteen days. 

Backpack Storytimes promote early literacy.

Bond with your baby before birth by reading, talking, and singing to your little one. Your unborn baby can hear your voice as well as sounds outside the womb. Help their early literacy and language learning skills by developing a reading routine from the very beginning. Log 50, five-minute read-alouds before baby arrives and receive a gift for your newborn. Learn more here.

The Road to Reading begins with you. Reading, talking, singing, writing, and playing with your child helps develop their early literacy skills. Early literacy is everything your child knows about reading and writing before they can read or write. Our library programs are designed to develop these skills by including songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and stories. Together we can lay a foundation for success in learning to read.

The Northport-East Northport Public Library is participating in an exciting and ongoing program that is part of a national initiative: 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. The goal of this program is to encourage parents and caregivers to read and share books with their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Sharing books with children is enjoyable and promotes a lifelong love of reading.

1,000 books before Kindergarten is available to all Northport-East Northport Public Library cardholders with children birth through five years (not yet in kindergarten). Visit the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten page for more information.

Children’s Librarians prepare selected bibliographies for children from birth through sixth grade.

Visit the Bibliographies page for the latest.

Yellow banner reading "Early Literacy Practices: Help your child get ready to read with simple activities every day."
Green banner labelled "Read"

Read together every day, even if it is only for a few minutes. Many children love to hear the same stories over and over, so find favorites!

Blue banner labelled "talk"

Talk throughout the day to your child. Point out what you are seeing and doing together, and ask lots of questions!

Purple banner labelled "Sing"

Sing songs and nursery rhymes! Rhymes help your child learn new words and develop listening and memory skills.

Orange banner labelled "Write"

Encourage scribbling! Keep crayons and paper on a table where your child can practice.

Red banner labelled "Play"

Have fun together! Playtime helps children learn important language and social skills.