Early Learning

Unlock the potential of young readers! Early learning programs are based on early literacy research and include tips and information for parents and caregivers. We offer a wide range of activities specially created for babies, toddlers and kindergarten readiness.

A mother holds her baby on her lap while they read a "touch and feel" book

Upcoming Events
Explore Play Learn

Learn Create Play

November 21st: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

This active play program is all about mind, body, creativity, and play. Move, learn, and explore with exciting new activities each week.

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Special Events

Cosmic Fishing Theatre

November 23rd: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
John M. Harper Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

Enjoy a unique artistic encounter with theatre and performance artists, curated specifically for toddlers and preschoolers.

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Explore Play Learn

Discovering Farms

November 25th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

Learn all about farms and farming through songs, games, and lots of crafts and activities.

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Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

December 3rd: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Get ready for stories, songs and lots of fun activities.

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Storytimes

Snowy Storytime

December 3rd: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
John M. Harper Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

About the Program

Dive into a frosty wonderland of snow-themed songs, stories, and activities that will spark your imagination.

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Music

Jingle Babies

December 4th: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

We’ll have fun reading, rhyming and singing some wintery songs.

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Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

December 10th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Get ready for stories, songs and lots of fun activities.

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Storytimes

Discovering Hot and Cold

December 11th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Inside, outside, candles, snow; it’s time to learn all about hot and cold!

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Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

December 17th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Get ready for stories, songs and lots of fun activities.

Learn more
Storytimes

Discovering Hot and Cold

December 18th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Inside, outside, candles, snow; it’s time to learn all about hot and cold!

Learn more
Storytimes

Winter Storytime

December 18th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

About the Program

We'll enjoy snowy stories, songs and activities to explore the many wonders of winter.

Learn more
Music

Merry Musical Babies

December 19th: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Sing along to cheerful holiday songs and winter-themed nursery rhymes while using baby-friendly instruments for an even merrier experience! If your baby likes to be heard and make noise, this is the right spot for them!

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Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

December 24th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Get ready for stories, songs and lots of fun activities.

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

January 7th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Get ready for stories, songs and lots of fun activities.

Learn more
Storytimes

Ones Exploring Winter

January 9th: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Some may say it's the most wonderful time of the year…and it’s even more wonderful through the eyes of your child. Explore winter by dashing through the snow (weather permitting), working on a wintery craft, and snuggling up for a storytime.

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

January 14th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Get ready for stories, songs and lots of fun activities.

Learn more
See All Events
Parent with toddler reading a picturebook at the library

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Join this fun and interactive reading program to support your baby, toddler, or preschooler’s cognitive development, strengthen your bond with them, and help them acquire the language and foundational skills essential to a lifelong love of reading.

Learn More

Online Resources for Kids

A world of entertainment and learning tailored just for kids, featuring a great selection of eBooks, movies, TV shows, language learning tools, educational resources and reading recommendations.
eReading and Streaming

Cantook Libraries

Une collection de livres numérique en français!

Borrow French language eBooks for all ages with Cantook Libraries.

Use Now
eReading and Streaming

CBC Corner Kids

Enjoy content for children and youth of all ages including tv shows, free online games, fun quizzes and activities, as well as news articles made by kids for kids.

Use Now
eReading and Streaming

downloadLibrary Kids eReading Room

Young readers can access a collection of children’s eBooks and eAudiobooks, including engaging read-along books for an immersive literary experience.

Use Now
eLearning

Fiero Code

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to advance your coding skills, Fiero Code will make your learning journey unique to you.

Use Now
eLearning

Gale In Context Elementary

Gale In Context Elementary offers content across geography, health, history, art and science, providing an educational playground where kids can explore, learn, and fuel their curiosity.

Use Now
eReading and Streaming

Kanopy Kids

Unlimited access to movies, tv shows and read-along storybooks, including Sesame Street, Franklin and more! Available as an app for smart TVs and devices.

Mobile Apps

Use Now

Explore Play Learn

Explore Play Learn is our approach to the American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read™ program. Engaging in reading, writing, singing, playing and talking activities together will help build your child’s literacy skills for life. We have a fantastic collection of books and resources at each location and library staff are happy to help get you started reading, writing, singing, playing and talking with your little one.

A young toddler sits on her father's lap reading a picturebook

Read

Reading together helps children prepare for independent reading. Start short and gradually increase. Let library staff assist in book selection, and encourage your child to choose their own. Lead by example and enjoy reading for pleasure yourself!

A toddler colours with crayons

Write

Reading and writing go together. Encourage your child to put ideas on paper, like what they did during the day, a list of their favourite books and a grocery list. Scribbling is the first step to writing, and it may become artwork too.

A one year old plays with a child xylophone

Sing

Songs are a terrific way to expand your child’s vocabulary, to play with rhyme and rhythm and a wonderful way to hear the different sounds in various languages. Sing with your children, anytime and anywhere.

A mother and her toddler son play with stacking blocks

Play

Each WPL location has toys and other manipulatives for families to play with. Play promotes language development, self-expression and fun! Our goal is to encourage families to play and learn together.

A young couple holds there baby and smile

Talk

Begin talking to your baby from birth, describing your day and activities. Language exposure is vital for their development, so keep talking! Speak to your children in your preferred language to support their vocabulary and conversation skills.

A mom and her young son look at a phone

Video Playlist

Discover a selection of videos that demonstrate how, with just 15 minutes every day, you can incorporate early literacy practices into your everyday life.

Get Ready for Kindergarten

Let us help you and your child prepare for kindergarten. We’re here to support you with books, resources, programs and so much more as your child starts their journey through school.

  • Early Learning programs backed by research and full of tips for parents and caregivers
  • Transition to Kindergarten sessions in the months leading up to school designed to develop essential skills for school success
  • 1000 Books Before Kindergarten programs fosters a lifelong love of reading and literacy
Kindergarten students sit and listen to a story from their teacher
Two young boys play with magnet stacking toys in the Children's Department at the Main Library.

Children’s Areas

Each of our library locations has a special area just for kids! Filled with books, kits and audiobooks for babies through to tweens plus a variety of toys for learning and fun.

Cool Things to Borrow

Who said the library was just about books? From ice skates and board games to puzzles and park passes, there is so much more you can borrow with your library card.

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