The parents of children age 6 and younger are invited to a free event this month to learn about literacy, child development and tips on engaging children with books.

Sponsored by the Sumner School District’s Sumner/Bonney Lake Early Learning Linkages program, the event will be 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18 at Emerald Hills Elementary School, 19515 S. Tapps Drive, Bonney Lake.

The program will be facilitated by Laurie Sjolund, a teacher of the primary grades and an Early Learning Linkages facilitator. Sjolund leads early-learning and school readiness efforts to help families prepare children to enter public schools.

Early Learning Linkages is creating a partnership between child care providers, preschools, parents, K-12 schools, and the greater community to develop a continuum of learning.

Free childcare will be provided. To reserve a spot, call 253-591-6066.

To find out more, go to the Sumner School District’s site, www.sumner.wednet.edu, hover over “For Families,” then click on “Early Learning Linkages.”