
Literacy
begins with language. And a baby’s language skills begin to develop at birth, through observing and listening to those around him or her. Speaking, reading and singing to a child from the day he or she is born dramatically improves language skills and vocabulary, which has impacts learning to read and write. You can help your child’s literacy skills grow right from the start.Ask a Parent Coach
That’s a great question and a great idea! It is never too early to expose your child and develop their love for books that will benefit and enhance all their early learning. In addition to the tactile experience that will create a love for reading books as they grow older, it is never too early to start reading aloud to your baby. Studies show that reading to your baby during the pregnancy fosters language and speech development as well as enhanced early bonding for the whole family.
Featured Articles
February 2019 Book List
February 14 is Valentine’s Day! Celebrate love with the following books: Happy...
Read MoreBuild a Community of Readers
November is National Family Literacy Month and a great time to help your child...
Read MoreYou Are Your Child’s First Teacher: First 5 LA Hall of Heroes
You are your child’s first teacher. From the day they are born, your child is growing...
Read MoreTeach Your Child to Read
It's never too soon to start your child on the path to reading. Just talking to your...
Read MoreTalk, Read, Sing
You are your child’s first and most important teacher, and every time you...
Read MorePotter The Otter Books
Potter the Otter - A Tale about Water Potter, Potter - The Healthy...
Read More"How I Learned to Read"
We received some wonderful entries in our “How I Learned to Read” sweepstakes,...
Read MoreThe Importance of Reading Out Loud to Young Children
When children listen to a parent or teacher read a story, they are often looking...
Read MoreArticles by Date
First 5 LA Hall of Heroes: Mae Jemison
Throughout life, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. Learning starts at...First 5 LA Parent to Parent: Stacey Alysson
What’s pink and round and can do Downward Dog? Parker Pig, of course! Parker Pig is the...
First 5 LA Hall of Heroes: Martin Luther King, Jr.
As your child’s first teacher, you can help them learn about people in history who changed the...
January 2019 Book List
January 5th is National Bird Day! Learn about the animals of the sky with these books:...December 2018 Book List
The air is cooler, the leaves have changed, and winter – along with reasons to celebrate –...
November 2018 Book List
November 6th is General Election Day! Celebrate with these books... Abe Lincoln: The Boy...October 2018 Book List
October is autumn at its best! With these books you can take in the sights, sounds and smells of...
Book Suggestions/Parent Activity Calendar
Bone Soup by Cambria Evans When Finnigan the hungry skeleton comes to a new town, he realizes...
September 2018 Book List
eptember is National Library Card Sign-up Month. If you don’t have one, be sure to get a card at...First 5 LA Hall of Heroes: Native Californians and Native American Day
You are your child’s first and most influential teacher. The first five years are the most...
First 5 LA Hall of Heroes: Labor Day
You are your child’s first teacher and are very important to their intellectual growth. From...August 2018 Book List
August 3 is National Watermelon Day! Celebrate this juicy fruit with these books: The...
Fun Ways to Engage Your Family in Bilingual and Multilingual Literacy This Summer

Summer Book Suggestions
A Little Book About Safety by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter and Abbie Schiller, Illustrated by...
Ages and Stages: Raising a Reader
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents start reading aloud to their...
July 2018 Book List
Summer is here, which means beaches, swimming and a whole lot of fun in the sun! Here are a few...First 5 LA 5 Minutes: Unexpected Ways to Use the Library This Summer
Of course the library has great books to read this summer — but did you know about the other...June 2018 Book List
June is Pride Month! Celebrate this month of acceptance, love and self-expression with these...Stopping “Summer Slide”: Learning Activities All Summer Long!
Over the summer students tend to forget things they learned throughout the year, studies show....
First 5 LA Hall of Heroes: Celebrating Cinco de Mayo!
You are your child’s first teacher! To help you and your child learn, grow and be inspired,...
May 2018 Book List
May Books! April showers bring May flowers. Help your child grow and bloom by “showering”...April 2018 Book List
Spring is all about rebirth, from eggs and chicks to baby bunnies and little plants that grow!...
March 2018 Book List
March 11 is the start of daylight saving time! Spring forward into a new season with these books:...February 2018 Book List
February is Black History Month! Celebrate important figures in the history of America, the U.S....
New Year Book Ideas
Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney Babies and toddlers will enjoy the simple rhyming text...January 2018 Book List
Kick off the New Year right with some great books! Paper Parade by Sarah Weeks, Illustrated by Ed...
December 2017 Book List

November 2017 Book List

How to Raise a Reader (National Literacy Month)

September 2017 Book List

August 2017 Book List
Summer is in full swing! August is Family Fun Month and National Picnic Month — a great time...
July 2017 Book List
Everyone knows that the Fourth of July is Independence Day, but did you know that July 17 is...
Spring Book Suggestions
Reading with your child helps him or her develop a lifetime love of reading and learning. Here...April Book Lists
Spring has sprung—and this month offers up lots of reasons to celebrate with reading! Are you...
Book Ideas for March
Spring into reading with your child! This March, celebrate Women’s History Month (and...Celebrate National Family Literacy Month: Holiday Book Recommendations
A family that reads together learns together. Celebrate National Family Literacy month this...Bonding through Books: SPRING READING!
Babies are comforted by the sounds of their parents’ voices, and from the start one of the best...The Best Start Book Club
By Dedicated Dad Ask any Oprah Winfrey fan about the importance of a “Book Club” and...
News and Notes
Two Babies Safely Surrendered In One Week Los Angeles County’s Safe Surrender program...
The Kids Are Alright: What We’re Reading
Here is the latest news, notes, research and other items of interest that we’re reading to...
What We’re Reading
Here’s the latest news, research and other items of interest that we’re reading to inform our...
What We're Reading
MUM ON SECRETS “About a month ago, our family was having dinner with some friends at their...
What We’re Reading
Kick back this Memorial Day by reading the latest news, research and articles of interest that...
What We’re Reading
Welcome to our newest feature where share the latest news, research and articles of interest that...
The Importance of Reading Out Loud to Young Children
When children listen to a parent or teacher read a story, they are often looking at the reader or...Tips for Parents
Here are some fun ways to use everyday items to help support your child for a lifetime of...
Good Reads Become Good Deeds in West Athens
The eager group of teenagers showed up at the Best Start West Athens booth at the Washington...
West Athens Campaign Kicks off with Help from Dr. Seuss
Parents in West Athens have a message for their community: “It Starts with Us.”...The Love of Reading
During the holiday season, share the gift of the love of reading. In this video, the Best Start...
Kid-friendly atmosphere, programs promote early literacy
The child-sized furniture and large, fluffy pillows in the shape of animals draw young children...
Scenes of early reading abound at Panorama City Library
Moms sharing picture books with their toddlers. Families reading children’s books together...
What a Difference a Book Makes
It was the first day of preschool for my 4-year-old. She wore her pink lollipop shirt, jean shorts...
Raising Biliterate, Bilingual Kids Equals Double the Benefits
My jaw dropped when I heard my little ones rattle off Spanish for the first time. Had all of that...
Teen Moms Learn How to Get Their Children Ready to Read
Fabiola is 17 years old. She has a 2-year-old daughter and a son who is 1. Fabiola likes to play...
If Reading Were Like Baseball, We'd Be Rounding Third Base
While I know that learning how to read is actually a years-long process, it is amazing that the...
Reading Tips - Newborn to 6 Months
Reading, and the love of reading, begins at home. Below you’ll find tips for reading to your...Reading Tips - 6 to 12 Months
Reading, and the love of reading, begins at home. Below you’ll find tips for reading to your...Reading Tips - 12 to 24 Months
Reading, and the love of reading, begins at home. Below you’ll find tips for reading to your...Reading Tips - 24 to 36 Months
Reading, and the love of reading, begins at home. Below you’ll find tips for reading to your...Reading Tips - Preschool and Up
Reading, and the love of reading, begins at home. Below you’ll find tips for reading to your...
Turning Reading Moments into Learning Moments
Let’s face it – there’s just not enough time in the day to get everything done when you’re...
Garfield Adult School Celebrates
All First 5 LA-funded Family Literacy programs include a time for parents and children to...