RESOURCE GUIDE For Free Cultural Activities

in the Bronx

Literacy Inc.

5030 Broadway Suite 641

New York, NY 10034

For More Information:

Ingrid Bentil

(212) 620-5462 ext. 135

ibentil@lincnyc.org

Notes:

Parent Engagement Workshops City’s First Readers offers workshops that can assist families in developing daily reading routines, and provide parents with fun and easy literacy-building activities that can be done at home.

Reading Opportunities

When young children are read to regularly, they are more likely to begin school with solid literacy skills. The initiative provides reading opportunities in the home, libraries, doctor offices, parks, and local businesses.

What We Do

Book Distribution All partner organizations provide free access to age-appropriate books for children. When families have a home library, they can make reading part of their everyday lives.

Access to Resources City’s First Readers gives parents, childcare providers, and teachers the resources needed to help children succeed. Additional resources can be found at your City Council Member’s District Office, through the City’s First Readers website and Facebook page, and by attending programs and workshops throughout New York City.

Network Building Having a network of support is crucial to long-term success. The City’s First Readers initiative helps families, caregivers, and teachers form connections to each other and to the resources needed to help young children develop the literacy skills needed to experience life-long success.

What We Do

Our city has lots of free and low-cost activities that can

help your child become a great reader. The next few pages

will give you some ideas...

Get Moving

Orchard Beach

Bronx County Line and Middletown Rd, New York, NY 10464

(718) 885-2275

Free admission

All ages http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/facilities/beaches

This mile-long walkway is perfect for strolling a fussy baby to sleep and provides some of the best people-watching in the city.

Bronx Zoo

2300 Southern Blvd. Bronx, NY 10460

718-220-5100

Suggested donation on Wednesdays.

All ages www.bronxzoo.com

The Bronx Zoo of the Wildlife Conservation Society is the premier place to study and appreciate the world's many creatures.

New York Botanical Garden

2900 Southern Blvd. (Bedford Park—Southern Blvd./Bronx Park Rd.) Bronx, NY 10458

718-817-8700

Grounds only: Free Wednesdays, 10am–6pm, and Saturdays, 9–10am.

All ages www.nybg.org

Featuring more than a million plants on 250 acres, the Botanical Garden is a place for study and research as well as enchantment and exploration

Wave Hill

675 W. 252nd St. (at Independence Ave.) Bronx, NY 10471

718-549-3200

Free Saturdays, 9am–noon; free Tuesdays, free for kids under 6.

All ages www.wavehill.org

Wave Hill has paths that wind across a carpet of bright wildflowers in springtime and a pool adorned with water lilies and lotus flowers through the summer and fall.

Urban Park Programs Family Camping Bronx

Bronc County Line and Middletown Rd, New York, NY 10464

(718) 430-1891

Always Free

All ages http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs

The Urban Park Rangers offer free overnight family camping at different campsites.

Explore Nature

Bronx Museum

1040 Grand Concourse Bronx, New York 10456

718-681-6000

Free for all ages

All ages http://www.bronxmuseum.org

The Bronx Museum of the Arts is dedicated to providing all visitors access to its contemporary art collection and exhibitions.

Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum

895 Shore Rd, Bronx, NY 10464

Free for children under the age of 6 on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sunday

All ages http://www.bartowpellmansionmuseum.org/visit/index.php

As the only grand country house still in existence on Pelham Bay, it provides an important link to the social and architectural history of New York.

Van Cortlandt House Museum

Broadway at West 246th Street, Bronx, NY 10471

718 543 3344

Free entry with New York pass and all children are free

All ages https://www.newyorkpass.com/En/new-york-attractions/tickets/Van-Cortlandt-House-Museum/

This beautiful Georgian-style mansion is the oldest residence in the Bronx.

Enjoy Museums

City Island Nautical Museum

190 Fordham St, Bronx, NY 10464

(718) 885-0008

Always free (open on weekend afternoons)

All ages www.cityislandmuseum.org

Exhibits include photos and artifacts about life on the island, its residents, the local yacht building companies, schools and local landmarks.

Fordham University Museum of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Art

441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458

718-817-3590

Free Admission open to the general public Monday -Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

All ages http://www.library.fordham.edu/resources/fordhammuseum.html

The Fordham Museum of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Art located in the Wil-liam D. Walsh Family Library is the result of the largest gift of art in Fordham’s history.

Explore Culture

Enjoy Museums

Recycle to Art

Poe Park Visitor Center (in Poe Park), Bronx

(718) 365-5516

Free every Wednesday until September, 30th 2015

Children under 10 http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2015/07/15/

recycletoart

Have fun turning discarded materials into usable works of art. Children under

10 years must be accompanied by an adult. Wear clothes that can get messy.

Bronx Culture Trolley

Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse & 149th Street

718-518-6728

Free for all ages

All ages http://www.bronxarts.org/culture_trolley.asp

Looping through the lower Grand Concourse and in other sections of the

Bronx, the trolley provides an innovative way to travel free while giving you

the opportunity to sample several of the area’s hottest cultural attractions, on

the first Wednesday evening of the month except January and September.

Enrichment Zone: Activities and school year homework help

High Bridge Library @ 78 West 168th Street Bronx, NY, 10452

(347) 933-1320

Always free

Grades 1-8 http://www.nypl.org/ost

Enrichment Zone offers chil-dren a safe and fun place to boost their academic success and enjoyment of learning.

Literacy Leaders: One-on-one reading tutoring

Mosholu Library - 285 East 205th Street Bronx, NY, 10467

(347) 277-4413

Always free

Grades1-2 http://www.nypl.org/ost

Students in grades 1–2 can improve literacy skills with the Library’s new free Literacy Leaders after-school program.

Stories in the Shade

Pelham Bay Park Library @ 3060 Middletown Rd, Bronx, NY 10461

(718) 792-6744

Always free (Thursday from 11:00am to 12:00pm)

Ages 3-12 http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2015/07/09/stories-theshade

Come to Pelham Bay Park for a fun-filled morning of stories read to you by a children's librarian.

Find a Good Book Find a Good Book INNOVATION LABS Digital Projects and Problem Solving

Westchester Square Library @ 2521 Glebe Avenue Bronx, NY, 10461

(347) 697-9969

Always Free

Grades 6-12 http://www.nypl.org/ost

Check out Innovation Labs, NYPL’s exciting new free after-school program in

select neighborhood libraries.

Kid's Learning Time

Parkchester Library @ 1985 Westchester Avenue (at Pugsley Ave.), Bronx, NY

10462

(718) 829-7830

Always free on Thurdasys from 11am to 12pm

Ages 18 months to 4 years http://www.nypl.org/events/

programs/2015/07/02/kids-learning-time

Children can enjoy interactive stories, action songs, and finger plays, and

spend time with other children in the neighborhood.

Babies 0-2 years old Books:

Board books are great for babies and young toddlers. Your child will put books in his or her mouth, and the thick pages ensure the book will last for many readings. Remember to have fun with books! You don’t always have to read the words— you can also talk about the pictures! Try these fun board books at your local public library:

Tap Tap Boom Boom by Elizabeth Bluemie

Toot by Leslie Paricelli

Subway by Anastasia Suen

Activities:

Playing, singing, and speaking play an important role in literacy development. Sing to your baby often and talk to your baby as you go through the day. Use toys and objects to talk about colors, sounds, faces, and feelings.

Toddlers 2-4 years old Books :

Your toddler will love books with large, colorful pictures. Sitting still for long periods of time will be a challenge so be sure that each page contains few words. Also, look for books that repeat language often, and are highly pre-dictable. Try these engaging books at your local public library:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Truck by Donald Crews

Rain Feet by Angela Johnson

Activities:

Continue to sing to your toddler often and ask him or her questions as well! Have your toddler help with simple tasks at home, such as putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket, and talk to him or her about the process.

Try This at Home

Preschoolers 3-5 years old

Books:

Your preschooler will be ready to experience books with developed characters and story lines. Now that your child remains engaged in reading for longer periods of time, you can try books that help teach important life lessons like sharing, helping others, and building self-esteem. Try these engaging books at your local public library:

A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorist

Activities:

Continue to sing songs and play, incorporate stuffed animals into play and draw pictures together. Make up stories to go with your child’s illustrations and write them down.

Enjoy these fun and free activities!!!

Try This at Home

City’s First Readers Partner Organizations

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) offers a rich array of early literacy programs for

parents, caregivers and young children at its 60 libraries throughout Brooklyn.

Participants are introduced to early literacy activities & children’s librarians model

how to promote early literacy development at home. (For all ages) To find your

local branch (718) 230-2100 www.bklynlibrary.org/map.

Jumpstart engages children in meaningful conversations designed to develop their

range of expression, vocabulary, reading comprehension, book knowledge, as well

as initiative, cooperation and other valuable social skills at early childcare sites

throughout New York City. (ages 3-5 years old) To find a Jumpstart site in your

community: 212-868-2556 www.jstart.org/where/tri-state.

LINC connects schools, families, and the community to create a sustained,

coordinated effort that expands the opportunities for children to read, to be read

to, and for adults within the community to model positive literacy. To find a LINC

program in your borough: (212) 620-5462 , info@lincnyc.org

The New York Public Library offers an array of Early Childhood literacy programs in

neighborhood branches that create a community of support for parents and

caregivers. These programs include popular story time events that engage children

in reading by incorporating sensory activities, songs and finger play. The New York

Public Library serves the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island. To find you local

branch: 917- 275– 6975 www.nypl.org/locations.

The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. (CHCF) combines

education and advocacy to expand opportunities for children and families, and

strengthen the voice of the Latino community. CHCF supports the fundamental

rights of Latinos at the local, state, and national levels. For more info: (212) 206-

1090, info@chcfinc.org

The Parent– Child Home Program is a school readiness, early literacy, and

parenting programs that successfully utilizes intensive home visiting to help families

prepare their children, 2-4 years of age, to enter school ready to succeed. To learn

more information: 516- 883-7480 www.parent-child.org

Queens Library has several award- winning programs for children 0-5 years old,

their families and caregivers. The Kick-Off to Kindergarten (K2K) Program prepares

children and their families for the first year of school. To find your local branch:

718-990-0700 or www.queenslibrary.org/ql_findabranch

Reach Out and Read of Greater New York (RORGNY) capitalizes on the trust and

respect parents have for their children’s primary healthcare provider in the

pediatric exam room, physicians and nurses speak to parents about the

importance of reading aloud to children every day, offer age-appropriate literacy

trips, and provide the family with a free book. To find a participating healthcare

facility near you: 646-237-0103 www.reachoutandny.org/findaprogram.

VIP is a program for parents of infants and young children that takes place in the

pediatric clinic on days of routine well–child visits. Using videotaping , toys and

books, VIP helps provide parents with tools for using play, shared reading, and

daily routines as opportunities for strengthening early literacy in their children. For

more information: (212) 562-2522 www.belle.med.nyu.edu.

City’s First Readers Partner Organizations

http://www.citysfirstreaders.com

https://www.facebook.com/

citysfirstreaders

City’s First Readers is facilitated by: