The Halton Hills Public Library's Early Literacy Programs support your child's school readiness and love of reading.
All programs are listed in our Program Calendar.
Early Literacy
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Early Literacy Programs
The first five years of your child’s life are very important for their growth and learning. The Halton Hills Public Library supports families by helping children build early literacy skills that prepare them for school and encourage a lifelong love of learning. All early literacy programs are free for families and are designed for children ages 0-6 years and their caregivers.
Storytime
Foster a positive learning experience in a group setting at a library-led Storytime. Our storytimes feature stories, songs, rhymes, and movement designed to build early literacy skills and school readiness, while creating a life long love of reading!
Discover and practice early literacy activities together with your child at one of our storytime programs.
Early Literacy Community Partner Programs
The Halton Hills Public Library works with local organizations inside and outside the library to support your child’s development.
Kids and Me (Community Neighbourhood Groups)
Kids & Me is a free weekly 1.5-hour parenting and early learning drop-in program for families with babies or children up to 6 years of age. Run in partnership with Halton Region, Links2Care, and The Halton Hills Public Library, families can make new friends, enjoy playing with other children and get extra support if needed.
The program is run by a Public Health Nurse, Early Childhood Educator, Child Development Consultant, and a Librarian. You can ask parenting questions about healthy eating, growth and development, speech and language, sleep, and routines. You can also get help connecting to community programs and services.
Find more information here
Every Child Ready to Read
The Halton Hills Public Library is here to help your child get ready to read. We follow the ideas of Every Child Ready to Read, a program that helps parents and caregivers build early literacy skills in children from birth to age five. Through our programs, books, and services, we support families at home and at the library as children begin their reading journey by encouraging:
Talking
Talking with your child is one of the best ways to help develop language and other early literacy skills. Conversations help a child express thoughts, learn what words mean, and gain new information about the world. When you talk with your child:
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Repeat phrases back to your child
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Expand on ideas
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Use new vocabulary
Singing
Singing helps children hear the distinct sounds that make up words. This is an important early literacy skill. Songs also teach new vocabulary and introduce new ideas and concepts. When you sing with your child:
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Move with the music
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Make simple musical instruments
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Don’t worry if your voice is not perfect. Research tells us that caregivers’ voices are a child’s favourite!
Reading
Shared reading or reading books together is the single best way to help children develop early literacy skills. Read together every day and talk about the books you read. When you read with your child:
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Create a special space
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Always let your child select the reading material
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Have your child help turn the pages or pretend to read to toys
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Ask questions
Writing
Reading and writing go together. Writing activities help children learn letter names and sound out new words. Writing also helps children understand that written words represent ideas, places, and events. The first steps of writing include:
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Making marks
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Drawing
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Name writing
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Word writing
Playing
Children learn how to express themselves, the meaning of words, and other early literacy skills by playing. Play requires a little space, simple props, and some imagination and encouragement. You don’t need special toys or expensive electronics.
For a full schedule browse our Program Calendar.