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

Explore Play Learn

October 21st: 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

October 22nd: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

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
Music

Discovering Dance

October 22nd: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

We'll play popular dance-based games, follow simple routines, and learn a few easy moves along the way. It's all about having fun, building coordination, and enjoying music together. No experience needed—just bring your energy and get ready to dance!

Learn more
Literacy and Language Learning

Baby Connections

October 24th: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
John M. Harper Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

Baby Connections is a program unique to Waterloo Region that helps families develop literacy and language skills with their little ones. Participants will receive a kit of resources designed to encourage continued learning and fun at home. 

Learn more
Storytimes

Saturday Stories

October 24th: 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

October 26th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
John M. Harper Branch
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

October 26th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

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

Learn more
Storytimes

Ones Exploring Senses

October 26th: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

About the Program

Discover the 5 senses with your little one! With stories, songs, and playful discovery, this engaging program offers a fun way for little ones and their caregivers to explore together.

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

October 27th: 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

October 28th: 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

October 29th: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

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

Pre-Halloween Party

October 29th: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

We’ll kick off this pre-Halloween celebration with a special silly and spooky storytime, then keep the fun going with music, dancing, and crafts! There’ll be a photo booth for costume pics and plenty of chances to move, groove, and giggle.

Learn more
Storytimes

Saturday Stories

October 31st: 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
Drop-in

Halloween Family Craft Party

October 31st: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Kids
Drop-in

About the Program

Get into the spirit of spooky season by making Halloween crafts and decorations. 

Learn more
Storytimes

Ones Exploring Senses

November 2nd: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Eastside Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Drop-in

About the Program

Discover the 5 senses with your little one! With stories, songs, and playful discovery, this engaging program offers a fun way for little ones and their caregivers to explore together.

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

November 2nd: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
McCormick Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Waitlisted

About the Program

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

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

November 2nd: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
John M. Harper Branch
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

November 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.

Learn more
Storytimes

Explore Play Learn

November 4th: 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
Music

Discovering Dance

November 5th: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Main Library
Age Group: Early Learning
Registration required

About the Program

We'll play popular dance-based games, follow simple routines, and learn a few easy moves along the way. It's all about having fun, building coordination, and enjoying music together. No experience needed—just bring your energy and get ready to dance!

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.

Learn More
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.
eLearning & Courses

Brainfuse HelpNow

Explore resources for Ontario students from kindergarten to grade 12, featuring live tutors, French and Spanish language support, an online writing lab, and AI Academic Integrity Tutors. Visit the Adult Learning Centre for High School Equivalency preparation, Canadian Citizenship Exam support 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 and eAudiobooks for all ages with Cantook Libraries. Log in with your card number (username) and PIN (password).

Mobile App (Android)

Mobile App (Apple)

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, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines at downloadLibrary Kids eReading Room.

Use Now
eLearning & Courses

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. Live virtual events offer real-time instructor support, AI Code tutoring is available, and Coding Contests are offered three times a year.

Use Now
For Kids

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
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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