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Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

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5 Things Parents Should Know...

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Curry School of Education and Human Development | University of Virginia

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Audrey Breen

How long should children spend reading each day? What if your child doesn't like to read? Education professor Emily Solari offers tips and strategies for parents while children are learning at home.

Reading is a central part of every student's education, and with so many American students now learning at home, parents and caregivers are taking the reins and engaging in reading activities with their children.

"Reading is a foundational skill for all other academic learning," said Emily Solari, professor and reading education program coordinator at the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education and Human Development. "When children and adolescents can read proficiently, they can more easily access the other content they are learning in school, much of which relies heavily on written text, especially as they progress through grades."

When considering how to keep children and adolescents engaged with reading while at home, Solari offered five tips for parents and caregivers to keep in mind.

1. Remember Reading Exposes Students to New Words and Ideas

Solari: Engaging with books and other written texts allows for important language development opportunities for children and adolescents. When children engage with written text, they are often exposed to vocabulary and language that they don't normally hear in spoken language. The language in books tends to be more complex and children are exposed to unique words that they may not hear in oral speech. Research has shown that sentence structure is more complex in children's books than the language that they hear and speak orally, and they also encounter more novel words. So, engaging with written text can have a positive impact on language development.

Reading can be an adventure for children and adolescents, providing them opportunities to learn about people and culture that they are not exposed to in everyday life. Encourage children to read about content that interests them, and also maybe some content that is new or unfamiliar to them. Keep in mind that kids should not be limited to just reading books; appropriate online content can be a good resource. If families have internet capabilities at home, many libraries are allowing patrons to sign up from home, allowing them to access online content. This is a good way for children to be able to explore a variety of texts and genres.

2. Aim For 20-30 Minutes A Day and Utilize Online Resources...

Solari: For children who are proficient readers, encouraging them to read for 20 to 30 minutes a day is sufficient. Some children will very happily read for much longer, which is great. For younger kids, reading children's books in a read-aloud context can be both a fun and beneficial activity.

There are also some good online resources such as Storyline Online and Romper that feature adults and children reading storybooks. All three of my boys like these sites - even the two older ones who are proficient readers. They enjoy listening to other people read stories.

Some children who are learning from home are just learning how to read and need instruction and support in foundational reading skills, or the early skills that are required for successful reading acquisition. Right now, there are a few high-quality online resources that children can use for free. One of my favorites is FlyLeaf Publishing, which has made all of their early decodable texts available for free. Additionally, the National Center for Improving Literacy has free content online that addresses foundational reading skills. Amplify also has some ideas for at-home activities for younger students to develop foundational skills.

3. ...But Don't Push Too Hard

Solari: Some kids are voracious and precocious readers, and some are not. It is important for parents and guardians to recognize this, especially during times when many things are out of the ordinary. With this in mind, reading should not become an extra source of stress for adults and the children and adolescents in their home. I would not recommend that parents force children to read every day if they are resistant. Often children who resist reading do so because it is not easy for them.

Also remember that many children are missing critical reading instruction and interventions right now with schools going to all online/distance-based learning. For these children and adolescents, forcing them to read will not necessarily improve their reading, nor will it magically improve their relationship with reading.

This does not mean that reading should be ignored. Adults can have a strong influence on children's engagement with text and there are ways to be strategic with children about how and when they engage with books and other written text. Adults can help encourage children and adolescents to read by helping them to search for topical areas that interest them and spending time reading with them.

4. Family Reading Time Isn't Only for Young Children

Solari: A lot of kids, of all ages, enjoy reading with their parents. There are many benefits of adult-child shared book reading. With young children, research has shown that reading books together allows for opportunities for rich language exchange between adults and children. Studies have shown that early vocabulary and language are related to later reading achievement and reading comprehension; reading with children can provide multiple opportunities to develop language.

Research has also shown that quality of the book-sharing experiences is more important that quantity. The quality of the interaction impacts what children take away from the experience. Shared book reading should not be a passive experience for children; when we are reading books to children, we want them to be actively engaged. Shared book reading provides opportunities for exposure to novel words that children may not encounter in spoken language. Read-alouds with young children allow for parents to have rich language interactions with kids. For example, adults can talk with children about new and unknown words, and this can be an opportunity to develop vocabulary and language. There are also natural chances to ask the child questions about the text, to expand of the topics covered, and ask children about their understanding of the text.

We often think that shared reading with kids is an activity that is reserved for younger children who can't read yet, but it is not. For example, in my house, it is common for my husband to read with my two older boys at night. The way that they share reading is by switching readers by page: My husband will read a page and then one of the boys will read the next. Sometimes, with our older boys, they are just tired at the end of the day and a nice way to unwind is for one of us to read to them from whatever chapter book they may be reading at the time.

I would encourage adults to engage in these interactions with kids. It allows for conversations with our kids around book characters, events and feelings that we might not otherwise have the opportunity to cover.

5. Mix It Up With Audiobooks and Podcasts

Solari: Some children like to engage with audiobooks that have the words available for them to read along. For younger students, it is not a bad idea to have them follow along with the words, but don't mistake this for reading instruction. It is not.

For children who can already read, following along with the words can reinforce the knowledge they already have about reading words. But for kids who are just learning to read words or may be older and having difficulties with learning to read, they need much more explicit and systematic instruction in foundational skills to be taught to read.

In addition to audiobooks, podcasts are a great way for children to learn new things. Some of my favorites include "Book Club for Kids," "Story Time," "Brains On," "Forever Ago," "Smash Boom Best," "But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids," and "The Past & The Curious."

Recap of Resources

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Reading While At Home: Five Things Parents Should Know

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Reading is a central part of every student's education, and with so many American students now learning at home, parents and caregivers are taking the reins and engaging in reading activities with their children. "Reading is a foundational skill for all other academic learning," said Emily Solari, professor and reading education program coordinator at the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education and Human Development.

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Free digital books for Elementary, Middle School and HS. No sign ups-just click .

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Experience Interactive Nonfiction Categories for Elementary Readers

Help your readers immerse themselves in learning with categories featuring media-enhanced titles! The All About Animals, Sports Essentials and About Our World categories help nonfiction topics come to life with animated illustrations, live videos, slideshows, and quizzes. And, our new World Languages category allows your readers to read and listen to books in 11 different languages! From Spanish to Mandarin, your readers will hear stories in their own language and learn new ones, all while studying everything from space to geography!

Each category brings you one new print book every month that contains a multi-use code allowing an unlimited number of readers simultaneous online access to the media-enhanced/multi-language version of the book-driving comprehension, retention, and enjoyment!

Explore all 4 categories
Plus, find out about the promotions available when you add one or more of these categories to a new or existing subscription! View all JLG categories for grades K-12 Need help choosing the best categories for your library?
Contact your account rep or call us at 800.491.0174 for personalized guidance.

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Interactive Nonfiction Library | Interactive Elementary Reader

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Experience Interactive Nonfiction Categories for Elementary Readers Help your readers immerse themselves in learning with categories featuring media-enhanced titles! The All About Animals, Sports Essentials and About Our World categories help nonfiction topics come to life with animated illustrations, live videos, slideshows, and quizzes.

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(not literacy but fun!) Daily animal feedings and visits.

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Skip to Main Content Skip to Footer

Explore The Naturehood

Philadelphia Zoo is now open daily from 9:30 am-5 pm. Advance timed reservations are required for all guests. We look forward to seeing you!

Visitors please note: Recently a strain of avian influenza (an illness that specifically impacts birds) has been identified in the eastern United States. Out of an abundance of caution and care, our penguins, flamingos, emus, and other birds have been moved indoors to eliminate contact with wild birds. McNeil Avian Center is also closed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Reserve Tickets

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Membership is the most budget-friendly and eco-friendly way to visit the Zoo. Check out our membership options to find the best one for you and your family.

Become a Member

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Skip to Main Content Skip to Footer Philadelphia Zoo is now open daily from 9:30 am-5 pm. Advance timed reservations are required for all guests. We look forward to seeing you! Visitors please note: Recently a strain of avian influenza (an illness that specifically impacts birds) has been identified in the eastern United States.

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WHYY Learning Activities

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WHYY Brings the Classroom Home: Educational TV & Videos for All Ages

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With schools closed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, WHYY is bringing the classroom home with free resources for kids, parents and teachers! Check this page for fun ways to keep kids learning at home.

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Read Alouds

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The Big List of Virtual Author Activities

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Options for live or pre-recorded author visits, read-aloud videos, drawing lessons, and more.

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these crossword puzzles are great for any classroom. select and print any these free crossword puzzles.

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Crossword Puzzles I abcteach provides over 49,000 worksheets page 1

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Printable ESL Crossword Puzzles for Kids, Worksheets for Kids English

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Printable ESL Crossword Puzzles for Kids, Word Puzzles for Teaching Kids, Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles for Beginners, Worksheets for ESL Kids, Kids Puzzles, Worksheets

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Back Issues of National Geographic Young Explorer

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Back Issues of National Geographic Young Explorer

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k-12 english as a second language curriculum

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career and technical education curriculum

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AnimaApp.com - Design to code, Automated.

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K-12 School Digital and Curricular Classroom Materials - NGL

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K-12 digital curriculum - Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Reading/Writing; ESL/ELD; World Languages; Advanced, Honors, Electives; Career and Technical Education

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Free Storyboarding Software — Online Storyboard Creator

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Storyboard That: Easy online storyboard creation! Perfect for filmmakers, teachers, and students. Create storyboards and comics with Storyboard That today!

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Book Creator - Love Learning - Book Creator app

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Teachers love it. Students love it. Book Creator is the simplest, most inclusive way to create content in the classroom.

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Kids learn about the United States Government. Educational articles for teachers, students, and schools including the three branches of the US government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial), balance of powers, Constitution, civil rights, amendments, democracy, and elections.

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Find information about new books to read, fun things for kids to do in and out of the library

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Between the Lions Early Reading | PBS LearningMedia

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Here are segments selected from Between the Lions, the series that helps kids "Get Wild About Reading!" This special collection provides a set of early Reading/Language Arts resources, organized by early elementary and preschool literacy skills.

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This is an evolving list of online storytime resources for families, preschools, and day cares. It includes videos, websites, and podcasts to support those who cannot make it to the library for any reason. The focus is on early literacy support online - songs, rhymes, movement, and stories. You can also follow the hashtag #kidlitquatantine on Twitter for updates on emerging resources specifically around children's literature.

Please leave a comment with a recommended resource!

Livestreaming Storytimes

The following libraries are livestreaming storytimes while they are closed. They can be viewed by anyone. You can also check out this Google Calendar for online KidLit events hosted by authors and illustrators.

Songs, Rhymes, and Movement

Check out songs, rhymes, and fingerplays in many languages to sing with little ones.

I've created a list of all of our YouTube playlists so you can easily scan and find songs that work for you.

This French language educational resource is created by the Ottawa Public Library. The channel features our children staff's favourite nursery rhymes, lullabies, and fingerplays. New videos are published every second Friday.

"Storyblocks is a collection of 30-60 second videos designed to model to parents, caregivers, and library staff some songs, rhymes, and fingerplays appropriate for early childhood." Includes 9 languages.

Wendy has a YouTube station filled with flannel and felt songs and rhymes.

Emily Arrow writes original songs based on children's books. Next week on Monday - Friday she will be hosting a special story and song each day at 1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PST.

The King County Library System has a HUGE collection of songs and rhymes to sing with little ones.

Miss Nina has a mix of original songs, old classics, and popular children's books read aloud and paired with music.

To help with panic and anxiety try this YouTube channel which is "yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world. "

Books and Audiobooks

Please check this Let's Keep Reading Google doc for an evolving list of authors and illustrators that are holding livestream events and webcasts over the course of the next month. There is also an excellent crowd-sourced list of ASL eBooks and resources.

Check Your Local Library

Many public libraries provide access to eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, and databases with animated books (i.e. TumbleBooks). You will most likely need a library card to access these options.

From Read Brightly, this YouTube channel features a new weekly full-length picture book read out loud by storyteller Ms. Linda.

Storyline Online is an award-winning, interactive children's literacy site that features famous actors like Kevin Costner, Betty White, James Earl Jones, Eva Longoria, and others reading children's books alongside minor animation elements.

Astronauts from the International Space Station read children's books in outer space for children on earth to listen to. They have science videos that compliment the books.

ICDL is a nonprofit organization that provides access to the best children's books of their culture, and cultures around the world regardless of where they live. There are over 4,000 titles in 59 languages to choose from, that you can read to your children.

Available in 16 languages, there are stories for kids ages 0 - 12. "Kids and their families can listen to a story by phone any time of day for FREE by calling the library's Dial-A-Story service at 416-395-5400. " If you don't want to call long distance they also have a collection of free stories read aloud called Hear-a-Story.

Call 720-865-8500 and listen to stories, songs and rhymes in English, Spanish, Amharic and Vietnamese.

Podcasts

Provided by the Santa Clara County Library District, this podcast features "books, fingerplays, rhymes, stories and songs for a screen-free storytime experience, anytime."

"Featuring the furry and loveable Muppets of Sesame Street. Sing songs with Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster and Grover. Learn about friendship, patience and sharing with Bert and Ernie."

"Created and produced by parents of young children, WBUR's Circle Round is a podcast that adapts carefully-selected folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for kids ages 4 to 10."

"Story Pirates is a group of world-class actors, comedians, improvisers and musicians who adapt stories written by kids into sketch comedy and musical theater." Great for older kids too.

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Videos, online resources, eBooks, audiobooks, and podcasts to help parents, caregivers, and teachers do storytime at home.

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Storytime Near Me | Storytime for Toddlers, Babies, & Kids

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Join us for Storytime at Barnes & Noble every Saturday at 11 AM to help your kids develop love for books and literature while making new friends!

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When you are on vacation, running errands or just away from home, free video read alouds are a great way to fill what can be hours of waiting into a lot of fun! These are convenient stories for families on the go. View them on a computer, tablet, or phone. If you have a few minutes you have time for a story! The playlist below includes more than 100 video read alouds from old classics like Where the Wild Things Are to newer favorites like Little Jumbo. Featured readers include actors, performers, celebrities, and oftentimes the author themselves. This listening library is available all day every day (and all night!) for returning to old favorites. "Read it again!" has never been easier!

Click on a book cover to hear a story!

For more help keeping children hearing and enjoying great stories you can find even MORE Free Video Read Alouds or try IndyPL's DIY Online Storytimes at Home. Because reading aloud to kids-even after they know how to read independently-benefits kids of all ages. Video read alouds are a great tool to help create a culture of reading. They don't replace reading aloud together in-person, but they are a fun alternative and supply key early literacy benefits.

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Looking for free video read alouds of children's stories? Just click on a book cover to watch 100+ stories read aloud!

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The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Daytime Emmy-nominated, Storyline Online, features celebrated actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading in millions of children worldwide.

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mrs. p’s activities. mrs. p writing contest

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MrsP.com free children's online storybook video site celebrating reading and books. Storybook destination with TV star Kathy Kinney as Mrs. P. Fun activities for kids with coloring sheets, activity guides, educational games & apps, crafts, and Be a famous writer contest.

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Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

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Explore reading basics as well as the key role of background knowledge and motivation in becoming a lifelong reader and learner. Watch our PBS Launching Young Readers series and try our self-paced Reading 101 course to deepen your understanding.