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

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.

Upcoming Events
Storytimes

Ones Exploring Music

February 9th: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

Rhyming, singing and movement are all building blocks for vocabulary and storytelling. We've got it all in this engaging program for ones.

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

February 9th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
John M. Harper Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

About the Program

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

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

February 10th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

About the Program

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

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

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

About the Program

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

Learn more
Storytimes

Baby Art

February 11th: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

Get ready to get a little messy while exploring art, stories, rhymes, and songs together! Caregivers and babies will have fun creating, learning, and building early literacy skills through hands-on, creative play.

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Literacy and Language Learning

Baby Sensory Tummy Time

February 12th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

This program is a space for babies to interact with others, deepen their understanding of the world around them, and develop fine motor & cognitive functioning skills (sight, sound, touch) all while spending beneficial time on their tummies to promote healthy development. Babies can enjoy the use of sensory bags, instruments, toys, books, and crafts! Bringing your own blanket is encouraged. 

Learn more
Literacy and Language Learning

Baby Sensory Tummy Time

February 12th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

This program is a space for babies to interact with others, deepen their understanding of the world around them, and develop fine motor & cognitive functioning skills (sight, sound, touch) all while spending beneficial time on their tummies to promote healthy development. Babies can enjoy the use of sensory bags, instruments, toys, books, and crafts! Bringing your own blanket is encouraged. 

Learn more
Storytimes

Learn Create Play

February 12th: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

About the Program

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

Learn more
Storytimes

Saturday Stories

February 14th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Families
Drop-in

About the Program

Spend your Saturday mornings with us and enjoy different stories, songs, and activities each week.

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

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

About the Program

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

Learn more
Storytimes

Learn Create Play

February 19th: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

About the Program

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

Learn more
Storytimes

Special Saturday Stories with Author Barbara Reid

February 21st: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Families
Drop-in

About the Event

Join us for a special storytime with award-winning children’s author Barbara Reid as she reads her newly released book, The Story Hunter. The storytime will be followed by lively songs, hands-on activities and creative crafts. 

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Music

Ukuleles & Lullabies

February 23rd: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

Learn the basics of ukulele in this special two-part program designed for caregivers and their babies. In the first session, you’ll explore simple ukulele fundamentals and learn lullabies to play and sing for your little one. Participants can borrow a ukulele to take home and practice between sessions, then return for the second class to play together as a group and share the music you’ve learned.

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Storytimes

Sing-Along Storytime

February 23rd: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Get ready to sing, clap, and groove along with musical storybooks! Grace and her guitar will lead this lively storytime filled with songs, stories, and plenty of chances to make music together. Perfect for little ones who love to sing and move.

Learn more
Storytimes

Mid-Winter Play Day

February 24th: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Kids and caregivers will move, play, and problem-solve together at a variety of fun game stations. From active challenges to brain-boosting puzzles, this program is designed for you and your child to learn, laugh, and grow side-by-side.

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Special Events

Babypalooza

February 25th: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
John M. Harper Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Event

The ultimate baby party is back! Celebrate this exciting new phase with your little one as you connect with other parents and caregivers, explore booths with community experts, or attend an information session. Plus, enjoy a short program of songs and stories for babies. You won't want to miss this baby extravaganza.

Learn more
Storytimes

Learn Create Play

February 26th: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

About the Program

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

Learn more
Literacy and Language Learning

Baby Sensory Tummy Time

February 26th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

This program is a space for babies to interact with others, deepen their understanding of the world around them, and develop fine motor & cognitive functioning skills (sight, sound, touch) all while spending beneficial time on their tummies to promote healthy development. Babies can enjoy the use of sensory bags, instruments, toys, books, and crafts! Bringing your own blanket is encouraged. 

Learn more
Literacy and Language Learning

Baby Sensory Tummy Time

February 26th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

This program is a space for babies to interact with others, deepen their understanding of the world around them, and develop fine motor & cognitive functioning skills (sight, sound, touch) all while spending beneficial time on their tummies to promote healthy development. Babies can enjoy the use of sensory bags, instruments, toys, books, and crafts! Bringing your own blanket is encouraged. 

Learn more
Storytimes

Saturday Stories

February 28th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Families
Drop-in

About the Program

Spend your Saturday mornings with us and enjoy different stories, songs, and activities each week.

Learn more
See All Events

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.

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Parent with toddler reading a picturebook at the library

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.
Business and Careers

Brainfuse HelpNow

Explore resources for students from kindergarten to grade 12, featuring live tutors, French and Spanish language support, an online writing lab, and the LEAP learning platform. Plus, the Adult Learning Centre offers High School Equivalency preparation, Canadian Citizenship Exam support, Microsoft Office training, career resources, and more.

Mobile App (iOS)
Mobile App (Android)

Use Now
eReading and Streaming

Cantook Libraries

Une collection de livres numérique en français!

Borrow French language eBooks for all ages with Cantook Libraries.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A mother and father with their toddler son speaking with an an Early Years and Child Care Navigator.

Early Years and Child Care Navigators

The YMCA of Three Rivers’ Early Years and Child Care (EYCC) Navigators are here to help families who may be experiencing barriers to find and access child care and early learning services in Waterloo Region. EYCC Navigators hold monthly office hours at our Main Library and McCormick Branch.

Learn More

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, talking and playing 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, talking and playing 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 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 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 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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