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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a Library program that encourages all families and caregivers to read 1,000 books with their young children before they enter kindergarten. Research has shown that reading to children before their formal education is the most effective way to prepare them to read on their own.
One thousand is a big number. When you stop to break it down over time, the task isn’t overwhelming:
- If you read one story at bedtime every night for three years, you’ll have shared 1,095 books!
- If you want to complete the program in 1½ years, that would be about two books a day.
- If you read ten books a week for two years, you’ll have shared 1,040 books!
This small time commitment is well worth the advantage you will be giving your child and the memories that you will form spending time with them.
After reading your first 250 books, bring your reading log back to the library to collect your first prize and your next reading log. When you reach 1,000 books you will receive a special tote bag.
Tips to Have Fun
- Reading together should never be a chore. Children learn best when they are in a good mood, so read with your child when the experience will be the most pleasurable for both of you.
- Take every chance to read with your children, tell and talk about stories, say nursery rhymes and sing songs.
- What if your child wants to read the same book over and over? Repetition is key to learning. Each time you read a book it counts. If you read the same book 5 times, mark your reading log as having read 5 books! You can read books from anywhere. Every book your child hears at storytime or other library programs counts too!
Download the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten flyer in English & Spanish.
Download the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Reading Logs: