Welcome to PlayReadVIP!

PlayReadVIP is a free program for parents of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are receiving pediatric care at one of our locations.
At PlayReadVIP, you get to have fun with your child while helping them learn!

How does it work?

PlayReadVIP is designed to be convenient for you. 

You get a free PlayReadVIP session at every one of your son or daughter's well-child doctor visits. This can happen before your child sees the doctor (while you wait) or after your child sees the doctor.

At each  session, you will:

• Have one-on-one time with a PlayReadVIP Coach
• Get a free toy or book to take home
• Get to play with your child while creating a video together  
• Get a copy of your video to keep, so you can watch it at home and share it with your child and family!

​Each video that you create becomes a wonderful keepsake and memory of your child at each age.  As you continue to do sessions, you will build a collection of videos of your child's growth that you can watch together for years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to pay anything to get PlayReadVIP?
​No! PlayReadVIP is a free program. You do not need to pay anything, and when you participate you will get a free toy or book to take home, as well as a DVD of you and your child playing together!

How long will each session take?
Each PlayReadVIP session takes around a half hour. Please factor in a little extra time for PlayReadVIP on the day of your doctor's appointment to make sure you have time for your session.

Can I do my PlayReadVIP session while I wait to be called to see the doctor?
Yes! This is a great time to have a session. When you arrive at the clinic, call your PlayReadVIP Coach to let them know you are here and ready for your session.

What if I am not able to do a PlayReadVIP session when I am at the clinic for my child's doctor appointment?
If it doesn't work out to do your session on the day of your child's doctor visit, you can come back another time to do your session. Talk to your PlayReadVIP Coach about a time that would be good for you to come back. If you can't come back before your child's next doctor visit, that is okay, you can still have a PlayReadVIP session at the next visit!

What if I am at the clinic for something other than a well-child visit? Can I still do my PlayReadVIP session?
Of course! Families often come to the clinic for many reasons, including medical visits for the mother or other children, sick visits, or for non-medical reasons (like appointments for the Women, Infants, and Children [WIC] program).  Any time you are at the clinic (and your child is not contagious), you can do a PlayReadVIP session if you are due for one!  If possible, call or text your PlayReadVIP Coach ahead of time to let them know you will be at the clinic.

What if I have other children with me?
That is okay!  They will be able to sit in the PlayReadVIP room with you while you complete the session.  We have some toys and books that they can play with while you complete the session with your other child.  The main focus of the session will be the child that is participating in PlayReadVIP, but your PlayReadVIP Coach can talk with you about how the ideas and activities from the session can be used at home with all your children.

What if I do not feel comfortable being videotaped?
Not everyone is used to being videotaped, and during your first session the idea of being videotaped might be uncomfortable to you.  However, creating a videotape and then watching yourself and your child on camera playing together is one of the most powerful and special parts of PlayReadVIP - we encourage everyone to try it at least once!  Many parents become more comfortable after watching the video created during their first session, plus these videos become a great keepsake to have in the future of your child at this age.  The videos that you create as part of PlayReadVIP are kept confidential and are not shared with anyone outside of the clinic and our team.  If you are very uncomfortable with being videotaped, or if your religion or culture does not allow you to be videotaped, talk to your PlayReadVIP Coach about this - we will work with you to do a PlayReadVIP session that you are comfortable with without involving videotaping.

Do I have to complete my PlayReadVIP session in person?
No, you do not have to complete your PlayReadVIP session in person. During the COVID-19 pandemic PlayReadVIP launched a remote version of the program. You can schedule a remote session with your PlayReadVIP Coach to be complete by phone or video chat and you can receive your PlayReadVIP toy or book from the PlayReadVIP Coach at your location before or after the session.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions about PlayReadVIP, talk to the PlayReadVIP Coach at your location.​

​Click on the box below to find a location near you for details about PlayReadVIP at your child's pediatric clinic:

LocATIONS

Resources for Parents

Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and reading.

← Click the logo for book lists, virtual readings, and other reading resources.

City's First Readers
City's First Readers is an initiative of the New York City Council, which is made up of a group of partners (including VIP) providing resources and services to parents all over NYC.

← Click the logo for events, book recommendations, parenting tips, and more.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC, the national public health agency of the United States, provides a detailed list of developmental milestones by age to guide you on your child's development from ages 0-5.

​← Click the logo for a list of developmental milestones by age.

Healthy Children (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Healthy Children is a resource from the AAP which provides parents with many tools and resources for parenting, children's health, and much more information.

← Click the logo to visit the Healthy Children website to learn more.

Zero to Three
Zero to Three provides parents and professionals with the knowledge to nurture early development in children ages 0-3.

← Click the logo to explore their resources for promoting your child's growth and development.