PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten. Does it sound hard? Not really if you think about it. If you read just 1 book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think (so get started).
The key is perseverance. Make it exciting. When your children reach a milestone, give him/her a small reward (stickers, backpacks, books).
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
- Read with your child. Studies have shown that reading with your child provides a great opportunity for bonding. Reading together is fun and will create life‐long memories for the both of you.
- Keep track of the titles of the books that you read with your child. Make a record of what you are reading in a spiral notebook, on our convenient reading log sheets, online, or by whatever method you want. The journal itself will make a great keepsake item for your precious child. The library has paper reading logs if you’d like one.
- If you are able to, make sure to keep a record of “any” book that is being read to your child. This includes the library, teachers, and siblings.
INCENTIVES
Stillwater County Library wants to join you on your family’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten journey by providing incentives, paid for by the Stillwater County Friends of the Library, for every 100 books read to your child. Bring your reading log(s) in for your child to collect their incentive.
FREQUENTLY‐ASKED‐QUESTIONS
- Who can participate in this program? Any child from birth until he or she enters kindergarten can participate in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
- How long will the program take? The program will take anywhere from a few months to a few years. The program is self‐paced and will depend on how often you read together.
- How many of my children can participate? All of them (provided they have not yet started kindergarten). Make it even more fun and read as a family!
