Ages 0-5 - Wallingford Public Library

Read. Talk. Sing. Write. Play.
Every day.

illustration of a tree with books as leaves READING out loud is one of the most important things you can do to get your child ready to read!

TALK. Don’t change new or unknown words in a book, explain them!

SINGING breaks down words into smaller parts so we can hear all of the syllables. This helps children sound out words when they learn to read.

Encourage your baby to reach and grab for different object during tummy time. Grasping helps develop your child’s finger muscles, which helps them get ready to WRITE.

When children PLAY they use their imagination and learn how to explore and interact with the world around them.

Story Time

The Children’s Department has four story time sessions throughout the year for children ages birth to five.

Our sessions are planned as follows: winter begins in January, spring begins in March, summer begins in July, and fall begins in September. Registration is required for all story time classes unless otherwise noted.

Always be the first to know! Sign up for our monthly newsletter or check out our children’s event calendar to see our most current program offerings.

Classes Offered

Bouncing Babies | Ages 0-18 months
This class introduces babies, toddlers, and their grown-ups to the library and each other while learning how to support their growth and development through songs, puppets, rhymes, and books. Includes playtime afterwards.

Waddling Ones & Twos | Ages 18 months–36 months
This class is great for active toddlers. Songs, rhymes, movement, parachute play, books, and a whole lot of fun help children learn more about how language works. Incudes play time afterwards.

Happy Feet | Ages 2-3
Full of music, movement, and stories, this program is perfect for children who are working on making the transition to Preschool Story Time.

Preschool Story Time | Ages 3-5
Books, puppets, and songs will reinforce your child’s pre-reading skills through repetition and rhyme.

Family Story Time | Ages 0-5
This early literacy enriched story time will explore books, songs, and rhymes for all ages!

Special Story Time Classes

Throughout the year we may also offer weekend and special themed story time classes. When available, these story time classes will advertised on our children’s events calendar, in-house flyers, and our monthly newsletter.

100 Books Every Child Should Know Before Starting School

Download 100 Books Brochure PDF

Library Resources

We have many resources available in the Parent & Educator section of the Children’s Room, as well as several specialty kits designed with parents and teachers in mind. We also offer many online resources that can be accessed any time at home or at school with your library card number.

Family Book Bundle Requests: Please use this form to submit a request for a general selection of children’s books for your family. Our Children’s Librarians will do their best to fill your request within 48 hours. Requests for specific titles should be placed through the library’s catalog or by calling the Children’s Room at (203)284-6436.

Kits

Parenting Collection: These kits pair books for children with helpful parenting guides on a variety of hot topics, like potty training, dealing with grief, bullying, and more.

Red Bags: Containing 6-10 picture books around a central theme with ideas for related activities and a fun item like a puppet, puzzle, or music CD, these are a perfect story time program in a bag for parents and preschool teachers.

Online Resources

An early literacy resource that combines storybooks with video. For pre-kindergartners to third graders.

Filled with videos, music, do-it-yourself projects, and live classes, this comprehensive online preschool program is designed to help children get ready for kindergarten.

Transparent Language Online is a powerful learning system for over 110 languages. Navigate to “KidSpeak” for a kid-friendly version of this service.

Display Case Application

Does your child have a collection they would like to display? We’re always looking for exciting and creative collections curated by the children in our community to put in our display cases! New collections are chosen monthly by our children’s librarians. Please use this form to submit an application.

Contact Kari Hamad, Head of Children’s Services, with any questions.