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Early learning

Enjoy storytimes and a variety of fun programs and resources to help young children get ready to read.

Talk, sing, read, write, play

Learn how all family members and your public library can help prepare young children to be readers with five early literacy activities that are fun yet powerful ways to encourage early learning.

 

This project was made possible in part by funding from the Friends of Hennepin County Library and the Minnesota Department of Education through a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

View the transcript of the "Learn As They Grow: Early Literacy and Libraries" video.

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Talk together

Children learn about language by listening and joining in the conversation. Talk as you play and choose books that interest your children to talk about!

Sing together

Fingerplays, rhymes and songs slow down language so children can hear the different sounds that make up words. Ask a librarian to help you find familiar or new songs to sing together.

Read together

Shared reading gets children ready to read. Kids who are read to are more likely to enjoy reading themselves.

Write together

Encourage your children to write or draw. A first step to writing is to stimulate small motor muscle control with toys and art supplies.

Play together

Children learn language by interacting with others and also with their physical surroundings. See how libraries encourage play within our spaces.

Discover shining examples of children's literature to share with the kids in your care. Our expert librarians highlight picture books with tips for sharing. Read them aloud, talk about them, and let the fun begin!

Explore staff reviews

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Events

Early learning and storytimes

Early learning and storytimes

Join us for books, stories, rhymes, music and movement at baby and family storytimes and other early learning events. 

View events

Stay to play

Enjoy specially designed welcoming and playful environments where kids and caregivers can explore books, computers, toys and other interactive elements that foster learning and fun.

Watch recorded storytimes on YouTube

Watch virtual storytimes for families and babies by Hennepin County librarians on our YouTube channel. 

View past storytimes

Online books and games

BiblioEnfants

BiblioEnfants (Tumblebooks) offre des livres animés et des romans pour les jeunes, avec des textes soulignés. En plus, la collection includes romans graphiques, des livres et vidéos non-fiction, des puzzles, et des jeux.

Biblioteca Tumble

Libros infantiles y de capítulos animados y con texto resaltado. Incluye libros y videos de información, audiolibros, rompecabezas y juegos. Para estudiantes de kínder a quinto grado.

BookFlix

Video storybooks and online nonfiction books for young readers. Includes streaming video, games and educator resources.

One More Story

Picture books set to music and read aloud to you, or use the "I Can Read It" mode to read them yourself. For children ages 2-6.

TumbleBook Library

Animated story books and chapter books with highlighted text. Also includes graphic novels, nonfiction books and videos, puzzles, and games. Some titles in Spanish and French. Kindergarten - Gr 5.

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