• Ready to Read at New York Libraries
  An initiative of the New York State Education Department designed to improve and expand the availability of high quality public library early learning services in local communities across the State. Through this initiative, families and caregivers will be provided with the knowledge needed to prepare their young children for their school years ahead. Check out their list of resources here.
• Engage NY
  Developed by the New York State Education Department and is the official web site for current materials and resources related to the New York State Board of Regents Reform Agenda. This comprehensive site describes itself as reflecting “the most current materials and resources available for educators”. It also includes parent and family resources.
• My Future, My Way
  A workbook for middle and junior high school students produced by the Federal Student Aid Office.
• Gen i Revolution
  A free, online personal finance game for high school students. Students assume the role of a secret agent assigned to solve a variety of financial problems—in the form of 15 missions—and defeat the “Murktide” of financial confusion that is spreading across the country. Did you know?! Teachers can use Gen i Revolution to prepare their students for the w!se Financial Literacy Certification test; students who pass the test become Certified Financially LiterateTM (CFL).

• Ben’s Guide to U. S. Government
  You can select from grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 or 9-12 to find lots of historical documents, games and activities, links to other government web sites and information about how our President is elected.
• Student's Internet Research Guide
  Learn how to find fact-based research on the Internet.
• Encyclopedia Britannica - School Edition
  This is the complete version of the Encyclopedia Britannica plus lots of links to other sites on the topics covered.
• HomeworkSpot.com
  Homework help, science fair projects, math, history, English & more. Elementary school, middle school and high school students will all find lots of information here.
• infoplease
  This very current site will let you search an encyclopedia, dictionary and several almanacs.

• Sammy's Guide to Internet Safety
  A colorful, clear, and interactive website designed by ATT&T to teach kids what should and shouldn't be shared online.
• ConnectSafely.org
  Dedicated to educating users of connected technology about safety, privacy and security, ConnectSafety is where you’ll find research-based safety tips, parents’ guidebooks, advice, news and commentary on all aspects of tech use and policy.
• iKeepSafe.org
  “Through this network of support, iKeepSafe tracks global trends and issues surrounding digitally connected products and their effect on children. This research drives the continuous creation of positive resources for parents, educators and policymakers who teach youths how to use new media devices and platforms in safe and healthy ways.”
• New York State Education Department: Internet Safety
  Includes a great number of resources including Internet safety toolkits along with resources specifically for teachers, administrators, parents, and students.
• OnGuardOnline
  The home of the Federal Trade Committee’s free online security tips and resources, and share with your friends, family, coworkers, and community.
• Privacy and Safety
  A nice, simple blog post by the folks at Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) about privacy and safety on the Internet.
• Cyberbullying
  CEFLS’ own collection of resources for parents, educators, kids, and teens to help deal with cyberbullying.
• Google CS First
  You might think that teaching code to younger kids sounds strange, but it's not as preposterous as you might think! With technology becoming a major part of our lives on a daily basis, having a head-start on tech knowledge just makes sense. Google's made a great interactive learning tool to teach anyone to start coding at their own pace.
• Scratch from MIT
  MIT has made learning tool about coding and programming, too. This great site combines characters from popular cartoons and other media with interactive lessons to teach the basis of programming and beyond. Your kids will be making programs in no time!

These kits focus on the 5 simple activities that strengthen early literacy skills for Kindergarten readiness - talking, writing, reading, playing, and singing. Each kit includes tips for parents and ideas for additional activities.

• ABCs Kit
• Colors Kit
• Fun with Food Kit
• Get Up and Go Kit
• Nursery Rhymes Kit
• Weather Kit

Kits compiled with generous grant funding from the Autism Alliance of Northeastern New York. These kits contain materials, activities, and objects specifically catered to those on the Autism spectrum and their parents, caregivers, and siblings.

• Communication Skills
• Exploring the Senses
• For Siblings
• Learning about Emotions
• Medical Visits
• Thinking about the Senses

Our downloadable audiobooks recently added iDevice-compatible titles, and there are many good titles for children. To see what's available, click here to open a new search window. To find out more about downloadable audiobooks, visit our how-to page. While it's great for you kids to listen to stories, you can pick up the print book too, so your child can read along.

Many of our downloadable ebooks are great for children, and can be read on computers, e-readers and tablets. To see what’s available, click here. You already have those smart devices, so doesn’t it make sense to make them learning tools for your kids?

Learning to read is often less about intellectual limitation than about overcoming fears, as a result, kids can learn to read faster.  Animals are ideal reading companions because they:

• Help increase relaxation and lower blood pressure
• Listen attentively
• Do not judge, laugh or criticize
• Allow children to proceed at their own pace
• Are less intimidating than peers

• Therapy Animals
• Reading Education Assistance Dogs
  Get training packets and everything you need to get started with a dog therapy program at this site.  The mission of the R.E.A.D. program is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy teams as literacy mentors.