The Child's Place
Our Garden Club
Read and Play
Books and Toys
Sibshop Workshop, Discussion
Sibshop Workshop, Demonstration
Parent Information Center
The Child's Place for Children With Special Needs
At Brooklyn Public Library, there's a place where all children can relax, play and have fun. We provide unique programs for children with and without disabilities from birth to age 12.
Read more about Universal Design at the Child's Place for Children with Special Needs.
Flatlands
2065 Flatbush Avenue
at Avenue P
voice: 718-253-4948
TTY: 718-253-5034
Greenpoint
107 Norman Avenue
at Leonard Street
718-349-8504
B43 or B62 towards Norman Ave
G train Nassau Ave exit
Red Hook
7 Wolcott Street at
Dwight Street
718-935-0203
Saratoga
8 Thomas S. Boyland Street
at Macon Street
718-573-5293
B7 towards Macon Street
J train Halsey street exit
Sunset Park
5108 4th Avenue
at 51st Street
718-567-2806
Programs
Fostering an inclusive environment, this unique Brooklyn resource opens its doors to all children, parents, caregivers, and educators. Join us at one of our many free programs:
- After School Stories, a fun-filled hour of stories and crafts for children with and without disabilities, their families, and friends.
- Our Garden Club (April-October) participants focus on gardening and related activities.
- Weekend Programs featuring guest performers who entertain and teach through puppet shows, sing-alongs, hands-on musical play with instruments, and interactive storytelling.
- Legos in the Library! (Word Doc) For teens ages 12 and up.
- Weekend Stories
- Special Weekday Programs
- Read and Play provides children with and without disabilities up to age five (and their families) a book-sharing and creative educational playtime. Children learn social skills and language development is stimulated by playing together with age-appropriate toys.
- Parenting Workshops provide a forum for discussion of topical issues. Guest experts speak on education, advocacy, discipline, medical issues, language development, and many other topics.
- Parenting Your Child with Special Needs: Partnerships with Mothers, Fathers & Others (PDF) May 15, 2013 6-8pm Brooklyn Heights Library 280 Cadman Plaza West
- Moving On With Learning Disabilities: Jobs, Careers and Education After High School (PDF) Wednesday, June 5 10am -12pm Information Commons Lab Central Library 10 Grand Army Plaza
- Class Visits introduce children to Brooklyn Public Library, provide access to library cards and are specially designed to suit students' individual needs. Our staff read books and issue library cards in the classroom and at the Library. Arranged by appointment only.
To request additional quantities of Brooklyn Public Library's "The Child's Place" brochures for distribution, please fill out this Brochure Request Form (PDF). The brochures and the shipping are free.
Volunteers
- Reading Troubadours read to children in medical clinics, giving them free RIF books to keep.
- Learn more about what Reading Troubadours do.
- Young Adult Leaders help with crafts and gardening programs or assist behind the scenes.
Volunteer opportunities are open to all, including young adults with developmental disabilities. Call for other volunteer opportunities.
Resources
Parent Information Center at Flatlands Library offers a wide array of books, book-and-CD sets, and other resources on exceptional parenting, as well as as resources for and about children and teens with special needs. Parents, family members, caregivers, and professionals who work with children may also benefit from our selection of magazines, newsletters, pamphlets, and CDs. Some materials are available in alternative formats.
Kindergarten Admission Process
Children's Mental Health Resources
- Children's Mental Health Resources for children, teens and adults (DOC)
- Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events: A Guide for parents and Educators by the U.S. Department of Hhealth and Human Services (PDF)
- Bullying Resources (DOC)
Special Education Resources
- Guide to 504 Services for Children with a Medical Diagnosis (PDF)
- Mediation Guide (PDF)
- City Council Special Education Reform Resources Fall 2012 (DOC)
- How Special Education Busing Works (Power Point)
- A Shared Path to Success: A Parent's Guide to Special Education Services by the New York City Department of Education(PDF)
- Special Education Reform Fact Sheet for Parents - Arise Coalition
- Back to School 2012 Fact Sheet - Advocates for Children
- Turning 5 Guide
Facilities
The Child's Place for Children with Special Needs is located in five barrier-free BPL libraries. Our equipment makes the library experience accessible to children with different abilities. Cube chairs, mats for floor play, positioning cushions, and adaptive toys are available. For information about adaptive technology, please call 718-253-4948.
Internet Resources
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Disability Related Information for Children and Teens (Word Doc)
Learning Disabilities Association
National Dissemination Center for Children With Disabilities
Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP)
Our Generous Sponsors
The Child's Place for Children with Special Needs is partially funded by Coordinated Outreach Library Services aid from the New York State Education Department, administered by the State Library's Division of Library Development. Additional funding is provided by The Joseph LeRoy and Ann C. Warner Fund, Brooklyn Community Foundation, CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the Elsam Fund, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Stop & Stor, the Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust, The Laura B. Vogler Foundation, Inc., as well as through endowment funds established by The Joseph LeRoy and Ann C. Warner Fund and the Ilma F. Kern Foundation.
