Kids FAQs

  • General Questions

    One of the easiest places to visit when you have a brand-new baby is the Library. It’s a great place to spend time, connect with the community, and get advice.

    Not to mention, it’s completely FREE.

    Here are just a few things you can do at any of our locations across Edmonton:

    • Bring your stroller (please note that parking varies by branch).
    • Find comfortable seating or hang out – in the children’s section, in the program room (before, during or after a class) or anywhere, really!
    • Use your free library card to borrow children's material including books, music, audiobooks, movies, online interactive books and more.
    • Breastfeed (ask staff about a private space to nurse or pump) and change your baby.
    • Attend one of our drop-in early literacy classes – our motto is “go with the flow” so don’t worry if you need to leave early or if your baby falls asleep, cries or needs a feed or a diaper change.
    • Drink a coffee and connect with other parents.
    • Get book recommendations from staff and advice about reading with your baby.
    • Check out the fish tank – there's one at every branch!
    • Relax knowing you’re in a safe and welcoming space.

    We love seeing babies at the Library (even if they’re crying!) so stop by and say hello!

    The library is designed to support the needs of all customers, so there are quiet places available to those who need it. We love to see babies and children in our spaces, so don't be shy to bring your young ones!

    We're always happy to see children engage with books, even if it means taking them off the shelves! As library staff, it's our job to return books to their proper place so focus on what's important: creating a positive experience with your child at the library.

    Absolutely! Every branch has bathrooms with change tables to make it easy to take care of your baby's needs.

    Absolutely! EPL is a breastfeeding-friendly place and we recognize that children need access to food in order to stay regulated and happy. You can even ask staff to help you find a private space to nurse or pump.

  • Technology in the Library

    At EPL we incorporate age-appropriate technology into both our classes and our children’s areas, in part, to help address disparities in home and school access to technology. This includes early literacy computers and iPads for younger children and computers, WiFi, gaming consoles, robots and Makerspace tools and equipment to support Science, Technology, Art and Math (STEAM) learning for older kids. We are committed to supporting multiple literacies for children, including early literacy and digital literacy. 

     All EPL locations have iPads loaded with early literacy apps that have been carefully selected by our staff. These apps are designed for children aged two and up. Some branches also have AWE stations, computers designed for young children. They are both located in accessible places in our children’s area. This provides opportunities for all families, including those who may not have access to technology at home, to gain digital skills and experience which are vital in today’s world.

    We also recognize that not all digital media is created equal, and it can be challenging to determine which apps are best suited for young learners. Our iPads provide an opportunity for families to explore age-appropriate apps without having to purchase them first. Our staff carefully review and test each app before adding it to our collection so you can be confident that your child is accessing high-quality media. When selecting which apps to add to our iPads, our staff evaluate if it is well-designed, engaging, easy to use, and developmentally appropriate for children aged two to five. We also assess the app’s learning value for a diverse range of topics such as literacy and numeracy.

    We do not have set time limits on children’s technology because a child’s age and total daily screen time are also factors for parents and caregivers to consider. Instead, we encourage parents and caregivers to monitor and limit their child’s use of technology according to their child’s age and access to technology at home and in other contexts throughout the day. We also encourage our customers to share library resources. Please be mindful of other families waiting for their turn on the iPad or computer.

    You can find our current list of iPad apps here.

    Besides exploring technology, there are many different things you can do with your child at the Library! Attend one of our free children’s classes, cozy up with a good book, play with our toys, or say hello to our fish. A staff member will be happy to explore screen-free activities available in their location with you.

  • Early Literacy

    EPL has a variety of resources to help parents with early literacy, from our collections, classes and events, to staff advice and book recommendations. Visit our Early Literacy page to learn more.

    EPL already has a number of book lists for kids 0-5. View our Early Literacy page to get reading recommendations or submit this form to get personal picks delivered straight to your inbox. Got a great idea for a list? Talk to staff the next time you're in the branch.

    Check out this list for mathematics books tailored for Kindergarten or submit this form to get personal picks delivered straight to your inbox. EPL also incorporates numbers and counting in all storytime classes.

    The five practices support early literacy. Parents are a child's first and best teacher; by modeling and communicating these simple and powerful practices, parents and caregivers can build early literacy skills into everyday activities:

    Talking with children helps them learn oral language, one of the most critical early literacy skills. The experience of self-expression also stimulates brain development, which underlies all learning.

    Singing, which also includes rhyming, increases children's awareness of and sensitivity to the sounds in words. This helps prepare children to decode print (written language).

    Writing and reading go together. Writing helps children learn that letters and words stand for sounds and that print has meaning.

    Reading together, or shared reading, remains the single most effective way to help children become proficient readers.

    Playing is one of the primary ways young children learn about the world. General knowledge is an important literacy skill that helps children understand books and stories once they begin to read.

    Early literacy is important:

    • The early years are essential for literacy: reading can come at any age, but language skills cannot. (Diane McGuinness, Growing a Reader from Birth)
    • Did you know that your baby has been listening to your voice since before he or she was born? Babies are born prepared to learn!
    • By age 4, the brain is 90% of its adult size. (Dr. Bruce Perry, The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog)
    • Early Literacy is not expensive; babies learn best when spending time with a loving caregiver. (Jane Cobb, What’ll I Do With the Baby-o?)
    • Early Literacy lasts a lifetime. Knowledge of alphabet letters at entry into kindergarten is a strong predictor of reading ability in 10th grade.
    • Children can’t learn to talk unless adults talk to them. (Mem Fox, Reading Magic). Talk all the time!

  • Classes & Events

    EPL offers a wide variety of classes and events, online and in-person, for parents of babies and toddlers:

    • Baby Laptime (0-12 months): Enjoy delightful stories, songs, books, rhymes, finger plays and more, especially for babies. Cuddle with your baby and connect with other caregivers. View all Baby Laptime classes >
    • Sing, Sign, Laugh and Learn (0-3 years): Join us for singing, rhyming and signing! In this inclusive class, parents/caregivers will interact one-on-one with their child while learning strategies to engage their child and enhance their child’s communication and development through repetition, visuals and movement. Siblings are welcome. This class is offered in collaboration with the Edmonton Early Intervention Program. View all Sing, Sign, Laugh and Learn classes >
    • Preschool Problem Solvers (3-5 years): Preschool Problem Solvers introduces shapes, numbers, colors and classroom behavior in a fun, energy-filled way. Children will dance, sing, investigate and have fun! Parents may choose to participate or let their child attend solo. No classes currently available
    • Music Makers: Sing Yourself Silly! (4-6 years): Music Makers combines engaging songs and stories with the use of rhythm instruments to develop important classroom skills such as attentive listening, turn-taking and responding to direction. Children and parents will participate in action songs, dance and learn about basic musical concepts such as beat, rhythm, pitch, tempo and dynamics. No classes currently available
    • Family Storytime (Family): Listen to stories, sing songs and play games with the whole family. No classes currently available
    • Heure du conte (En français): Chansons, comptines et histoires! Une heure du conte amusante pour toute la famille. (Songs, rhymes and stories in French!) No classes currently available

    Registered spots are held until the class begins. If you have not registered, you may drop in if there are spots available at the start of the class.

    If the in-person class you want to attend is full, you can:

    • Put your name on the waitlist. To do this, simply view all in-person classes, choose the one you are interested in and click "Join Waitlist". You will be notified when a spot becomes available for you.
    • Drop-in spots may be available at the start time of the program, if registered participants do not show up.
    • Contact the branch or talk to an EPL staff member about other options for in-library activities.

    Of course! While the content delivered will be for the class’ target age group, we welcome sibling participation.

    Unless otherwise stated, parents are required to attend with their child. Adult participation is part of what makes our classes so fun and helpful for supporting early literacy beyond the hours of the library.

    Many small children can’t sit still! Kids are welcome to experience classes in whatever way they wish—even though they are moving around, they are still listening and learning. Storytime is a great way to practice a circle-time experience before school starts.

    We often have babies snoozing throughout storytime! Coming to classes still gives you a chance to interact with other caregivers and to learn songs and rhymes that you can share with your baby later at home.

    Most early literacy classes are designed for one-on-one interactions between adults and children, so talk to your branch about finding options for larger groups, including a special storytime or tour of the library.

    Baby Laptime is a quieter, gentler class with content specifically targeted for 0-12 months. In this 30 minute class, we share rhymes you can use in your daily life, like bath and diaper changing rhymes, and give babies a chance to explore the space.

    Sing, Sign, Laugh and Learn is a 45 minute class for children 0-36 months. Classes are inclusive and geared to a range of abilities and developmental stages, from infants learning to recognize sounds to walking and running toddlers. Offered in collaboration with the Edmonton Early Intervention Program, SSLL gives parents/caregivers a chance to interact one-on-one with their children through repetition, visual strategies like scarves and shakers and movement.