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A Guide to Early Learning

Reading by 9 guide cover.
(Cover art courtesy of Eddie Mayer and Heidi Stauder.)
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The 2023 Reading by 9 guide was created through the generous support of the Ballmer Group and features contributions from the Los Angeles Public Library, First 5 LA, Raising a Reader, Zero to Three, Sprout Speech and Language Pathology and Read to a Child. This year’s guide spotlights articles, activities, book recommendations and more for parents and educators of children ages 0-5.

Leer en Español | Download the 2023 guide | Last year’s guide

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Tips and tricks for our readers

Instilling a love for reading is important. Building a foundation for literacy can help children grow their vocabulary, confidence and imagination.

From our friends at the Los Angeles Public Library: Literacy is built on the below pre-reading skills.

Ask your young learner questions and encourage sensory activities during their first years. Those practices will help lay the foundation for literacy.

Sept. 14, 2023

A children’s librarian shares what it was like to teach her child to love reading from birth. Start teaching early and be creative and consistent, she shares.

Sept. 14, 2023

Teach your child to read with online help. Sprinkle in some fun with these apps and access new books as you help your child learn letters and sounds.

Sept. 14, 2023

Encourage your child to think more deeply about what the book they’re reading by asking them questions about the characters and their actions.

Sept. 14, 2023

Being multilingual can build your child’s problem solving skills and expand their social network. Make an effort to talk and read in all languages.

Sept. 14, 2023

Learn more about navigating screen time, encouraging your child to read and choosing the right learning environment for your child. We answer parent questions.

Sept. 14, 2023

From Raising a Reader Reading: books with your young child and telling stories together can reduce stress, strengthen family bonds and support your child’s social-emotional development.

Sept. 14, 2023

Point to pictures and labels and keep your language simple. As children grow older, introduce the main idea and begin to ask comprehension questions.

Sept. 14, 2023

Parents can help sharpen a child’s literacy skills. Use new words, build on their interests and don’t make a big deal about speech mistakes as they learn sounds.

Sept. 14, 2023

From Zero to Three
Go on a name safari. Walk around your house or neighborhood with your toddler.

Sept. 14, 2023

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Book Recommendations

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Literacy Programs

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Support Services

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Libraries

Los Angeles Public Library

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Los Angeles County Library

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Orange County Public Libraries

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This supplement did not involve the editorial or reporting staff of the Los Angeles Times except where noted.

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The guide is free to parents, educators and organizations working with children and families. To contact us with comments and questions or to receive more information, email public.affairs@latimes.com.

Los Angeles Times Public Affairs manages philanthropy, community engagement and corporate social responsibility at the nation’s largest metropolitan daily news organization. We broaden perspectives, empower storytellers and inspire our community to question and transform the world around them. For more information, visit latimes.com/readingby9.

A recipient of the nation’s highest honor for library service — the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services — the Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest and most diverse urban population of any library in the nation. Its Central Library, 72 branch libraries, collection of more than 6 million books, state-of-the-art technology accessible at lapl.org and diverse programs provide everyone with free and easy access to information and the opportunity for lifelong learning.

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