BrightUp Kids

Empowering families, enriching childhoods

Bilingual programs, books, and community events for young children and the families raising them.

Explore our programsGet in touch
A storyteller reads an open Mandarin picture book aloud to children at an outdoor reading club gathering
  • Thousandsof children and parents at our programs
  • 5programs running right now
  • All welcomeevery family, at any level of language experience
A volunteer reads aloud to children seated on floor cushions in a public library

Who we are

BrightUp Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the United States, working for children’s development through education, health, research, and community engagement. Volunteers run our programs; researchers sit on our board and lead BrightUp Institute, our research division.

Children and parents seated together on the floor during a BrightUp Kids Mandarin story session at a public library

Story time at a MetroWest public library. No Mandarin required, parents welcome to stay.

What is running right now

Families seated on blankets under trees at a Bay Area reading club gathering

Bay Area Chinese Parent–Child Reading Club

A Mandarin reading and craft circle for Bay Area families — a relaxed place for parents and children to learn together.

Ages
Preschool and early elementary
Schedule
Regular gatherings
Where
Bay Area parks and playgrounds, outdoors

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A corner of the library: two white bookcases full of children's books, a whiteboard, and a wall of children's coloring pages

Chinese Book Library

A membership lending shelf in San Jose, where families borrow Chinese children's books and bring them back.

Ages
0–7
Schedule
Tue–Fri 3–7 PM · Sat 10 AM–6 PM
Where
San Jose, CA

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A story leader reads beside a projected Mandarin picture book at a library story time session

Magic of Mandarin: Kids' Story Time

Weekly Mandarin storytelling and picture books for ages 3–6 — for native speakers and complete beginners alike.

Ages
3–6 years
Schedule
Weekly sessions
Where
Public libraries, Greater Boston

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Two pictures children made by gluing dried beans onto paper: flowers on stems in red, black, green, and yellow beans

Inclusive Chinese Families

Mandarin stories, music, and play for Chinese-speaking families raising neurodivergent children, with parent circles in Chinese. No diagnosis needed.

Ages
Around 3–8 years
Where
South Bay, Bay Area

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BrightUp Institute

Our research division, connecting science, technology, and community experience to human development, mental health, and well-being.

Learn about the Institute

Our team

Leadership & advisors

  • Portrait of Jing Zhang, President of BrightUp Kids

    Jing Zhang

    President, MBA

  • Portrait of Bianying Yang, Treasurer of BrightUp Kids

    Bianying Yang

    Treasurer, CPA

  • Portrait of Susan Yuan, Director of the Reading Club at BrightUp Kids

    Susan Yuan

    Director of the Reading Club

  • Portrait of Marcus Xue, Ph.D., Founding Scientific Director of BrightUp Institute

    Marcus Xue, Ph.D.

    Founding Scientific Director, BrightUp Institute

  • Portrait of Prof. Yaobo Shi, Director of Empirical Research at BrightUp Kids

    Prof. Yaobo Shi

    Director of Empirical Research

Meet the board and the whole team

Get in touch

Questions about a program, volunteering, or a partnership? Message us on WeChat or email us. We read every message.

WeChat QR code for BrightUp Kids, account 湾区中文亲子读书会

WeChat

Scan with WeChat to add us as a friend.

Email

We usually reply within a day or two.

info@brightupkids.org

LinkedIn

News, events, and program updates.

BrightUp Kids on LinkedIn

Every child deserves the chance to shine

Whether you give a few hours a month or make a one-time gift, you make our programs possible.

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