BrightUp Kids

Empowering families, enriching childhoods

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

Explore our programsVolunteer with us
A storyteller reads an open Mandarin picture book aloud to children at an outdoor reading club gathering
  • Thousandsof children and parents at our programs
  • 4programs 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 in the Bay Area

View program details

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

View program details

A partner library shelf holding donated Chinese children's books, with the story time notice on a screen above

Floating Library

A community book exchange that keeps children's books circulating between families instead of sitting on shelves.

Ages
All ages
Schedule
At community events and partner libraries

View program details

Colourful promotional graphic for the BrightUp Kids Spanish for Beginners online programme

Spanish for Beginners

A 20-minute online Spanish session every Sunday for ages 3–6. No previous exposure needed.

Ages
3–6 years
Schedule
Every Sunday, 11:00–11:20 AM ET

View program details

BrightUp Institute

Science for human well-being in the age of AI

Our research division connects rigorous science, emerging technology, and community experience to advance human development, mental health, and well-being, with a particular commitment to children, young people, families, and underserved communities.

Learn about the Institute
  • Human Development & Mental HealthWhat helps people develop, adapt, and thrive, and what prevents them from receiving effective support?
  • AI & Human Well-BeingHow can AI advance human well-being, and how do we establish whether it actually does?

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 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

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.

DonateVolunteer with us