1000 Books before Kindergarten

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is designed to help parents/caregivers prepare their children for one of life’s big milestones: Kindergarten!  A number of research projects have proven over and over again that children get ready to read years before they begin their formal education.  The most effective way to get your child ready to learn is to read to them.

How to Get Started:

1. Sign up for the program by visiting the Youth Library.

2. Come back every time you have shared 100 books together to get a small prize and your next log. You can also print the log from the tabs below.

3. When you have finished 1,000 books, your child will be able to select a new picture book to add to the library collection.  The book will include a bookplate with your child’s name on it.  Your child will be the first one to check out their honor book and will be invited to a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten graduation party!  They will also receive a 1,000 Books shirt.

This program supports pre-reading skills through five early literacy components.  The five early literacy skills are Phonological Awareness,  Vocabulary, Print Convention, Background Knowledge, and Letter Knowledge.  These act as the foundation for reading skills.  Each log will share activities you and your child can do together to hone these skills.

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program helps promote parent/child   reading so that the above skills can be strengthened.  One of the best gifts we can give the children in our community is the gift of literacy.  One of our roles at the library is to create and host programs that will help and encourage  parents/caregivers as they guide their little readers through their journey to becoming a life-long reader.