Philadelphia Hospital Launched NICU Literacy Program

The new initiative supports local families of preterm infants with educational workshops and free books.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Babies

Bold vector illustration of a stack of blank, colorful storybooks on a clean metal hospital bedside tray, emphasizing early literacy. — The 'NICU Nest Read to My Preemie' program, launched at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, provides early literacy resources to 100 families to support the development of preterm infants. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Once Upon a Preemie has partnered with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to launch the NICU Nest Read to My Preemie program. The initiative aims to support 100 Philadelphia families by providing early literacy resources and emotional assistance.

Why it matters

The program seeks to improve school readiness for preterm infants and mitigate potential language delays. It also offers crucial support to parents navigating the emotional stress of a neonatal intensive care unit stay.

The initiative provides each participating family with 10 free books to build at-home libraries. This effort is supported by a $165,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation.

The players

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

This is a world-renowned pediatric healthcare institution that provides specialized care for children and infants.

Once Upon a Preemie

This organization focuses on supporting families who have experienced the challenges of having a baby in the NICU.

William Penn Foundation

This is a private philanthropic organization based in Philadelphia that funds initiatives to improve quality of life.

Jenne Johns

She is the founder who drew on her personal experience as a mother of a preterm infant to create this program.

The details

Families can participate in in-person educational workshops or join virtual support sessions if their babies are currently in the NICU. The program focuses on early literacy to address research-backed risks associated with preterm birth, including potential language delays and performance challenges in math and language arts.

Jenne Johns gave birth to her son, Tochi, in 2013.
A research study linked preterm birth to academic risks in 2021.
The NICU Nest program launched in Philadelphia in September 2026.

Culture Shift

The program reflects a growing societal focus on addressing developmental disparities through early childhood literacy interventions. It follows the 2021 study associating preterm birth with lower math and language performance, extending that research into actionable community support.

Families with preterm infants can access workshops and free books to support their child's early development at home. These resources aim to reduce the long-term educational barriers often faced by children born prematurely.

The takeaway

Early literacy exposure is a vital tool for parents of infants who spent time in the NICU. By engaging with these programs, families can help foster stronger linguistic foundations for their children from the start.