Early Childhood Center

The Early Childhood Center is designed for birth through 2nd grade including materials and programs. Try out an activity, read a book, or play on a computer or iPad. While the Early Childhood Center is designed for younger ones, everyone is welcome to use the collection including fiction, nonfiction, board books, readers, audiobooks and Playaways.

Sun, clouds and a butterfly

Establish strong early literacy skills and create a special bond with your child by reading to them.  Keep track of your reading on our 100 Books Reading Sheets found in Youth Services. 

  • Read 100 books and your reader earns a sticker.
  • Read 500 and 1,000 books to have your reader's name added to our Wall of Stars.
  • Complete the program and we will honor your reader's achievement by adding their name to a new picture book in our collection.

We are excited to be part of your child's reading journey!

Our Early Childhood play area is a place for young ones to make believe, practice social skills, work on fine and gross motor skills, and more.

Activities and toys are periodically changed for new discoveries. Help us take good care of our toys so that everyone can play.

Computers and iPads are available for children to use in the Early Childhood Center.  Games and activities are intended for ages 2-6.

Check out an iPad at the Early Childhood Desk.

The Leveled Reader collection is broken into 5 levels: pre-1, 1, 2, 3, and 4.  The levels do not necessarily correspond to a student’s grade level.

Books are leveled based on vocabulary, repetition, number of words, etc.

The Early Childhood Center has an easy nonfiction collection perfect for new learners.

Located behind the Leveled Reader collection, young readers can find informational books at their level on a variety of topics.

Upcoming Events

Color Fun

10:00am - 10:30am
Registration Closed
Registration
Library Branch: Wheaton Public Library
Room: Early Childhood Program Room
Age Group: Youth, Toddlers
Registration Required
Event Details:
Ages 2-3 with caregiver Registration required Let's do some fun color activities together! ...

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library. 

Children & Caregivers

This program is intended for children and caregivers to participate together; drop offs are not allowed.

Photo Permission

In the course of daily operations, the library may take photographs within public areas of the library. Written permission is not needed for Library staff to take photographs of groups or crowds including children in the library building or during library sponsored events.

Community Partner Playdate

9:30am - 11:30am
Library Branch: Wheaton Public Library
Room: Early Childhood Program Room
Age Group: Youth, Families, Babies, Toddlers, Preschool
Event Details:
Ages 0-5 with caregivers Join us for a playdate at the Wheaton Public Library. While children and families socialize, we'll have DuPage County community partners present to share resources including developmental screening, early childhood program...

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library. 

Children & Caregivers

This program is intended for children and caregivers to participate together; drop offs are not allowed.

Photo Permission

In the course of daily operations, the library may take photographs within public areas of the library. Written permission is not needed for Library staff to take photographs of groups or crowds including children in the library building or during library sponsored events.

Storytime: Great Beginnings

10:00am - 10:30am
Library Branch: Wheaton Public Library
Room: Early Childhood Program Room
Age Group: Youth, Families, Babies
Program Type: Storytime

Storytime - Great Beginnings

Birth-23 months old with caregivers. Babies and their caregivers will share rhymes, fingerplays, songs, and books together.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library. 

Children & Caregivers

This program is intended for children and caregivers to participate together; drop offs are not allowed.

Photo Permission

In the course of daily operations, the library may take photographs within public areas of the library. Written permission is not needed for Library staff to take photographs of groups or crowds including children in the library building or during library sponsored events.

Storytime: Preschool

11:00am - 11:30am
Library Branch: Wheaton Public Library
Room: Early Childhood Program Room
Age Group: Youth, Families, Preschool
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:
3,4, and 5 year olds attend with caregiver. Stories, songs, and more! ...

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library. 

Children & Caregivers

This program is intended for children and caregivers to participate together; drop offs are not allowed.

Photo Permission

In the course of daily operations, the library may take photographs within public areas of the library. Written permission is not needed for Library staff to take photographs of groups or crowds including children in the library building or during library sponsored events.

Storytime: Great Beginnings

10:00am - 10:30am
Library Branch: Wheaton Public Library
Room: Early Childhood Program Room
Age Group: Youth, Families, Babies
Program Type: Storytime

Storytime - Great Beginnings

Birth-23 months old with caregivers. Babies and their caregivers will share rhymes, fingerplays, songs, and books together.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library. 

Children & Caregivers

This program is intended for children and caregivers to participate together; drop offs are not allowed.

Photo Permission

In the course of daily operations, the library may take photographs within public areas of the library. Written permission is not needed for Library staff to take photographs of groups or crowds including children in the library building or during library sponsored events.

Kindergarten Readiness

11:00am - 11:30am
Registration Open
Registration
Library Branch: Wheaton Public Library
Room: Early Childhood Program Room
Age Group: Youth, Preschool
Registration Required
Event Details:
4-5 year olds to attend independently Are you getting ready to go to kindergarten in the next year? In Kindergarten Readiness, we'll work on skills that will get us ready to go to elementary school.  ...

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library. 

Photo Permission

In the course of daily operations, the library may take photographs within public areas of the library. Written permission is not needed for Library staff to take photographs of groups or crowds including children in the library building or during library sponsored events.

Storytime: Preschool (On My Own)

2:30pm - 3:00pm
Registration Open
Registration
Library Branch: Wheaton Public Library
Room: Early Childhood Program Room
Age Group: Youth, Preschool
Program Type: Storytime
Registration Required
Event Details:
3,4, and 5 year olds attend without caregiver. Stories, songs, and more!  Thes registered sessions of preschool storytime will be the same as our morning classes but are for children to attend without their caregiver. Caregivers must remain i...

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library. 

Children & Caregivers

This program is intended for children and caregivers to participate together; drop offs are not allowed.

Photo Permission

In the course of daily operations, the library may take photographs within public areas of the library. Written permission is not needed for Library staff to take photographs of groups or crowds including children in the library building or during library sponsored events.

Learning Games

Action Words Flash Cards

Cards with words and drawings

Each flash card features a supporting picture and a sentence that uses the action word in context.

Check It Out

Addition 0-12: Flash Cards

Addition 0-12: Flash Cards

Covers addition facts through 12…plus ideas for skill-building games and activities.

Check It Out

Addition Dominoes

Dominoes with numbers

Addition facts on one end and numeric sums on the other - find the match.

Check It Out

All About Feelings Magic Board

Cards with children showing emotions

Kids bring feelings to life as they identify, describe and draw 6 different emotions.

Check It Out

Brain Quest for Threes

Challenge cards

Question-and-answer game covers shapes, colors, letters, numbers, opposites and more.

Check It Out

Brain Quest Grade 1

Challenge cards

Question-and-answer game covers reading, language arts, math, science and more.

Check It Out
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