PROGRAM OVERVIEW
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a Library program that encourages all Thousand Oaks 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. Experts tell us that children need to hear a thousand stories read aloud before they begin to read for themselves.*
HOW TO GET STARTED:
How to Get Started:
- Enroll your child by signing them up for a Beanstack account. Beanstack is available online through our Virtual Library or sign up using the app.
- Select the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
- Log the books you read together.
- Visit the Library to receive prizes after reading 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1,000 books!
- When you reach 1,000 books you’ll receive a special tote bag.
- 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, enter the book 5 times in your account! You can read books from anywhere. Every book your child hears at storytime or other library programs counts too!
One thousand is a big number; when you stop to break it down over five years, or even two years, that task isn’t overwhelming. If you take five full years to complete the program you could read one book every other day. If you complete the program in two years, that would be about two books a day. If you read one story at bedtime every night for three years, you’ll have shared 1,095 books! 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.
*Many of these facts and tips are taken from the American Library Association’s website Every Child Ready to Read (www.ala.org/everychild) initiative and Reading Magic, by Mem Fox.