Babies love the Library!
Welcome to the Library, Baby!
EPL welcomes everyone into the library - and what better introduction than bringing your baby to get his very own card! Babies up to 24 months receive a free Welcome Baby package, including:
- Illustrated colour rhyme booklet (click here for the electronic version)
- Baby Board Book to keep
- EPL Library Card for your baby
Visit any of the EPL locations around the city to pick up a Welcome Baby package for your baby.
More great ways to introduce your baby to the Library
Attend a Baby Welcoming Day: Meet your library staff and your neighbours, participate in demonstrations of storytime programs, sign up for a library card and learn what the library has to offer.
Baby Laptime: Hear stories, share books and learn new rhymes, songs and finger plays. For babies up to 12 months.
Fun for Ones: Learn rhymes, songs, finger games and stories. 
For toddlers aged 12 to 24 months.
Daddy and Baby Time: A special bonding time for babies and their male caregivers. Learn songs and rhymes that help support your baby's development in this relaxed environment.
Sing, Sign, Laugh and Learn: Learn strategies to enhance your child's communication and development through repetition, visuals and movement. For babies and toddlers younger than 3 years.
There are many other programs available for babies and parents. EPL offers over 6800 programs each year; search the current listings to find one for you and your family.
It's Never Too Early
Even though babies are too young to read, they are learning so much at this age. Your baby is absorbing so much information about the world, it's a wonderful time to build a foundation for literacy.
Here are some examples of how to build the 6 skills of early literacy in your baby (watch the matching videos):
Letter Knowledge
- Point out letters on objects that are around the house.
- Play with toys that are different shapes, such as blocks, balls, or puzzles.
- Sing the alphabet song to your baby
Narrative Skills
- Read lots of books together, especially nursery rhymes and poems. These rhymes can contain a whole story.
- Describe what you're doing as you do it.
- Talk as if you were having a conversation with your baby, even when they can't understand you.
Phonological Awareness 
- Speak in 'parentese,' using a higher tone and a slower pace than your regular voice.
- Talk with your baby! Ask them questions, and when they babble, treat that like an answer.
- Sing songs with your child! Singing naturally slows down words and makes it easier for babies to tell the differences between sounds.
Print Awareness 
- Read books together. It's never too early to start!
- Point out words everywhere, such as on signs and labels.
- Encourage your child to become familiar with books; let babies hold them and touch them. Board books have big sturdy pages that are great for small, curious hands. You can also use cloth books or bath books.
Print Motivation 
- Let your child hold the books when they are able to
- Hold babies close to you as you read, making it a time of physical closeness
- Share books that babies can touch and hold, or have flaps, mirrors, or textures that are exciting for them
Vocabulary 
- Read books together and talk about the pictures
- Start talking with your child as soon as he or she is born
- Encourage your baby to babble and 'talk' – they are getting ready to say words!
Encouraging early literacy is easy – just read, talk and play! Read books together. Talk about what is around you. Play games and have fun! For more tips on how to develop early literacy skills at home, as well as recommended books, download a copy of EPL's 100 Books to Share Together
These videos will help your baby's language development. We also have videos for toddlers and preschoolers. Books, free programs, expert staff and these videos are all ways we are helping you help your baby with essential early literacy skills.
Bath and Diaper Rhymes 
It can be stressful for little ones to be naked and cold! To make bath and diaper time more positive and relaxing, try soothing your child with songs and rhymes! Try any of your child’s favourite songs too!
Bouncing Rhymes
Bouncing rhymes are wonderful for rhythm! Hold your baby so that she’s facing you, so that she can see your mouth making the words, as well you can see how much of a bounce she likes! As she gets older, she may like bigger bounces, but some kids some prefer gentler bounces.
ABC Life Literacy Canada is a national organization that inspires Canadians of all ages to increase their literacy skills. There are lots of tips to help children and parents read, talk, and play together.
Located in Edmonton, the Centre for Family Literacy is dedicated to building, developing, and improving literacy with families and communities.
Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library
Find out about what the American Library Association is doing to help promote early literacy.
Great Books on Early Literacy Booklist
Looking to find out more about early literacy? Check out these great books in EPL’s collection.
Want to hear about fun children's programs and services happening at EPL branches? Sign up for an Email-Newsletter Especially for Parents and Caregivers.
Click the pictures below to see EPL programs, services and information for parents of toddlers and preschoolers.
