On behalf of the 1000 Books Foundation, Whiting Youth Library invites you to participate in this free program which encourages you to read 1,000 books with your child before they start kindergarten.

The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read any book to your newborn, infant and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books before your precious child starts kindergarten. Does it sound hard? Well if you think about it, if you read just one 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. Yes, you can repeat books!

If you figure most children start kindergarten at around  5 years of age, you have more time than you think to read 1000 books before kindergarten!!

The key is perseverance. Make it exciting. When you children reach a milestone, give them a reward like stickers, a new book or backpack.

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 number of the books that your read with your child. Make a record of what your 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.
  • If you are able to, make sure to keep a record of “any” book that is being read to your child. This includes teachers and siblings.

FAQs

  • Who can participate in this program? Any child from birth until they enter 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 children can participate? All of them (provided they have not started kindergarten). Make it even more fun and read as a family!

Visit www.1000booksbeforekindergarten.org for more information.