For Kids
PARENT RESOURCES
Chicago Reads Together
Creating a city of readers is everyone’s responsibility.
“Reading is the foundation for a child’s education, and we all share the responsibility of finding the best ways to teach our children to read.”
- Mayor Richard M. Daley
The ability to read well is the most important skill Chicago’s children must possess as they enter into adulthood and the job market, and become engaged and successful members of our global city. Getting an early start in building reading skills is critical to a child’s success in school and in life. Studies show that 50% of a child’s intellectual development happens between birth and age four.
The City of Chicago, under the leadership of Mayor Richard M. Daley, created Chicago Reads Together, a new program focusing on the critical first nine years of a child’s life. The Chicago Public Library has created a list of four simple steps every Chicagoan can take to help children in their lives build their reading skills.
Creating a city of readers is everyone’s responsibility – and everyone will benefit from the results.
1. Get a library card and use it.
2. Read aloud with a child for twenty minutes a day.
3. Have books in your home.
4. Get caught in the act of reading.
If you can read this...you should be reading to your child.
Choose an Age Group
- Infants (Birth to 18 months)
- Toddlers (18 months to 3 years)
- Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
- Homeschoolers
Resources for Choosing Great Books
Best of the Best Bookmania Everyday Great Reads for Kids Author List Helpful Websites
Born to Read: How to Raise a Reader »The Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, describes ways parents can develop early literacy skills by sharing books starting at birth. Includes suggested web sites and books to share.
Chicago Early Childhood Program Locator »
Through a partnership between the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services, parents can locate early childhood programs, libraries and parks near their home or near their office.
CPS Early Childhood Education »
This site offers parent resources regarding early childhood programs, early learning standards and links to Virtual PreK and Virtual K. Kits for these virtual classrooms may be checked out at all Chicago Public Library locations.
!Color'n Colorado! »
This bilingual site provides information that enables parents to help their children become good readers and successful students at school. Guidance for Spanish-speaking parents, suggested activities, booklists, and many additional resources are offered.
Get Ready to Read »
The National Council for Learning Disabilities has designed this bilingual site for parents; Included is a screening tool to assess pre-reading skills, online games to build essential literacy skills, downloadable activity cards to develop skills and a home literacy environment checklist.
Mem Fox: Teaching, Learning, Living »
In addition to information about the author and her books, Mem Fox introduces reading aloud with 'And Do It Like This.' Children and parents can also enjoy hearing Mem read her books aloud.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) »
NAEYC has developed this site for a child's first teacher - their parents. Here parents will find information on the early learning years, book lists and a resource for finding quality early childhood programs.
PBS parents.org »
PBS provides parents and children with a literacy goldmine of great information, books, activities and games.
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) »
This website for RIF coordinators, educators and parents provides a forum to prepare and motivate children to read through a variety of literacy activities.
Zero to Three »
As the "Nation's leading resource on the first years," ZERO TO THREE promotes the healthy development of babies and toddlers; includes a Parenting A-Z, Tip of the Week and a link to Brain Wonders, a collaborative project to help babies and toddlers grow and develop.