1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

What is 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten?

This program is a great way to ensure that your child gets that critical reading time. Reading with your child is the single most important activity you can do to help your child succeed as they grow and learn. Reading together also promotes essential parent/child bonding, creating special moments that will continue to help your child associate reading with positive experiences and instill a lifelong love of reading.

“Numerous studies estimate that as many as one in five children have difficulties learning to read. Reading has been associated as an early indicator of academic success. Public formal education does not typically start until ages 5-6. Before then, parents and caregivers are the first education providers during the 0-5 early critical years. The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a simple and very manageable endeavor.” – The 1000 Books Foundation Mission Statement

How do we begin?

1. Register online to begin the 1,000 Books journey.
2. Download a recording log sheet online or pick one up from the Kids’ desk. Each log is for 100 books, and completing a log means you’ve reached a milestone! (see below)
3. Read to your child before kindergarten. This can be your newborn, infant, toddler, or preschooler.
4. Record on the log each time you read a book. Let your child help and color the log, use stickers, or fill out on the downloaded form.

Tips

• 1,000 Books is self-paced and how long it takes will depend on how often you read together. If you read one book a day, that’s 365 in one year, 730 in two years, and 1,095 in three years.
• It’s okay to read books more than once! Each time the book is read, it counts toward the 1,000 books.
• Any book read to your child, including those read at Library storytimes, part of the Summer or Winter Reading Programs, or those read by siblings and friends, counts!
• Ask us for book suggestions. We are always happy to help!

What do I do when we reach a milestone?

When you’ve read your first 100 books, come to the Kids’ Library to register with your EPL card and celebrate. Come back for each 100-book milestone and celebrate with a fun activity and photo shoot. At 1,000-books, your child earns a T-Shirt and an invitation to a graduation party (EPL card required). 1,000 books before kindergarten – the idea is simple, but the benefits last a lifetime!