All LA County Library locations will be closed on Monday, March 25 in honor of César Chávez Day. Our digital library is open 24/7.
  • CONTACT US |
    ×

Early Learners

Get Your Family Engaged

Whether you’ve got an infant, a toddler, or a child ready to enter kindergarten at home, we have resources to help you answer questions, find advice and solutions, and be proactive with your child’s physical and behavioral health, social life, academics, and all-around well-being.

Free Digital Resources with Your Library Card

little girl using iPad

ABCMOUSE
More than 10,000 fun learning activities in reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music for ages 2 – 8+.
Learn More

Tumblebook Library

TUMBLEBOOK LIBRARY
An online collection of animated and talking picture books.
Learn More

Kanopy Kids logo

KANOPY KIDS
A collection of educational and entertaining movies, TV series, animated storybooks and other content specifically for children.
Learn More

Upcoming Events for Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers

Fun Family Activities

Sharing books, playing games, singing songs, and talking to your child are all ways to give your baby or toddler the skills they need to become successful readers.

woman reading with child

BOOKS
Read a book with your baby, point to a picture and say what it is. You can make reading part of everyday – at bath times, in a car, or in a waiting room. This will help build your child’s early literacy skills. Check out our booklists for ideas.

baby laying down surrounded with books

RHYMES
Babies love rhymes. Build your baby’s words by using simple rhymes. Your baby will enjoy the rhythm and lots of expression in your voice. Need some ideas? Check out our Fun Friday Fingerplays on YouTube.

Baby with headphones

MUSIC
Music is a great tool for shared play, whether learning to use instruments or dancing to a soundtrack together. You don’t have to have a great voice to sing with your little one! Songs are a great way to help kids build words. Check out children’s music on Freegal.

Recommended Books for Early Learners and Their Parents

Activity Ideas Worksheets

Looking for ways to help young children learn something new or spark their creativity? We’ve got ideas, from crafts to scavenger hunts! Check out these great library resources created by our librarians to help parents and young children learn, create, and discover!

Library Resources

  • Our libraries offer a warm and safe environment for parents to meet and talk to other parents. Librarians can help families choose developmentally appropriate materials for children and access to information about community resources for families. We have 86 locations! Find the one nearest you.
  • Search and place a hold on materials in our catalog.
  • Check out in-person and virtual events on our calendar. You can filter by age or location.

Non-Library Resources

  • Read from the Start
    Each month, Quality Start LA develops a themed booklist, reading tips, and family activities all designed for families with children ages birth to 5.
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
    Get expert parenting tips and advice for every age and stage of your child’s development—from baby to teen—and everything in between.
  • MedLinePlus
    Child development includes physical, intellectual, social, and emotional changes. This online resource on child development provides research-based articles, links, videos, and more for parents to explore.

Support for Parents & Caregivers

211 logo

Call 211 to find health and human services programs in your community. It’s free and confidential, available 24/7 in more than 150 languages.

child support logo

Need help with child support? Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department can assist parents and guardians with establishing parentage, obtaining child and medical support, ensuring that orders are right-sized, and collecting court-ordered support for children and families.

mental health logo

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) provides a spectrum of mental health services to people of all ages to support hope, wellness and recovery. Services provided include: Assessments, Case management, Crisis intervention, Medication support, peer support and other rehabilitative services.

Skip to content