In a digital world where screen time has replaced reading time, it can be difficult to motivate children to look at something other than a screen. There is a simple solution that caregivers have been using since the dawn of time: storytelling and reading together! “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” is a national program that is built on this timeless practice. The program encourages families and caregivers to read 1,000 books before kindergarten with their young West Chicago readers before they enter school. Now, reading 1000 books before entering school may seem like a lot, but the lifetime rewards that are gained are well worth it, and WCPLD could help!
The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten” program is excellent for creating a solid foundation of learning, meaningful connections with the text, helping to develop and encourage a lifelong love for reading, and helps with school readiness and beyond. The early years of childhood are critical for brain development. During this time, children are absorbing language, sounds, colors and patterns. Reading daily helps foster what they are seeing and hearing and applying it to what they are reading.
Even Though reading 1000 books may sound very daunting and difficult, it is much easier than you think! Reading just ONE book a day for three years will achieve your 1000 books goal and beyond. Most of the time, parents and caregivers in West Chicago find themselves reading more than one book to their child daily. You’ll reach 1000 books in no time, and it’ll be fun the whole way!
Here is how the program works: drop by the library to sign up for the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” program” at the Youth Services desk. It’s that simple to start! You will receive a letter of introduction and instructions on how the program works along with a fun goody-bag, just for signing up! In your startup packet, you will receive your first reading log. The reading logs are increments of 100 books to read. Once you’ve read 100 books out of your thousand you can return to the library to claim your first prize and receive your next log, continuing from there. By the end of the process, your young reader will have earned some more goodies, a free book, and a certificate of completion that you have read 1000 books! You can also download the app “1000 Before Kindergarten” to track your progress anytime, anywhere!
The “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” program is a simple way to connect with your child and foster a lifelong love for reading. There is no greater gift than that. So, unlock the power of 1000 for young West Chicago Readers by starting today! Looking for good ways to pick books? Check out our blog on The Five Finger Rule to get started! If you would like more information on 1000 Books Before Kindergarten for young West Chicago readers, or other youth reading initiatives or resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by emailing ask@wcpld.info, giving us a call at 1-(630)-231-1552, or by dropping by the Youth Services Department in-person to speak with staff! See you at the library!