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Can your young reader read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?
Overview
When is the best time for you to start reading to your child? According to an article in Parents, the earlier, the better. Research has shown that “children who were read to as newborns have a larger vocabulary and more advanced mathematical skills than other kids their age.” Reading to them is an excellent way to prepare your child to learn.
Parkland Community Library has designed 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, a program to help parents prepare their children for one of life’s significant milestones: kindergarten.
Why should your family participate in 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?
Reading with your child and having a special time together shows them that reading is valuable and enjoyable. You can start to develop a love of reading in your child from a very young age!
By visiting the library together, you can teach your child an understanding of how the library works, a respectful attitude toward books, and an appreciation for the wide variety of stories it has to offer.
How does reading 1000 books help my child?
Through reading aloud, a child:
- Develops background knowledge about a variety of topics
- Builds vocabulary
- Becomes familiar with rich language patterns
- Develops familiarity with story structure
- Acquires familiarity with the reading process
- Identifies reading as a pleasurable activity.
Source: Straight Talk About Reading: How Parents Can Make a Difference During the Early Years by Susan Hall and Louisa Moats
“The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children“.
U.S. Department of Education, Becoming a Nation of Readers
Who can participate in this program?
Any child who has not yet entered kindergarten.
Can my child really read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?
Absolutely! Reading 1000 books will take a few months to a few years, depending on the child’s age and how often you read.
| Child’s age at the start of the program | Number of books read per day | Number of books read per week |
| 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 3 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 | 3 | 20 |
How do I track the books we read?
When you register for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, you will receive your first reading log. Complete the logs and return them to the Youth Service desk to receive the next log.
What books count towards our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten goal?
Any time your child listens to a whole book, it counts!
Reading to a child counts.
A book can be a read-a-long push-and-play, a library book, a book from home, or a book read at storytime.
Physical books, eBooks, and audiobooks are accepted formats.
You can count multiple readings of the same book.
How do I register my child?
Visit the Youth Services desk in the Barclay Family Children’s Wing to get your child’s first book log.
Are there prizes?
Yes! Once your child completes their current book log, visit the library’s children’s wing with the completed log to pick up your prize.
| Number of books read | Prize |
| 100 | Sticker, tote bag |
| 200 | Sticker |
| 300 | Sticker, activity page |
| 400 | Sticker |
| 500 | Sticker, book, activity page |
| 600 | Sticker |
| 700 | Sticker, activity page |
| 800 | Sticker |
| 900 | Sticker |
| 1000 | Sticker, Hall of Fame photo, certificate |
We’ve read 1000 books. What now?
We celebrate your child’s literacy milestone with an invitation to a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten graduation celebration. Your child will also receive a certificate with a chance to have their photo featured on our website’s Hall of Fame photo gallery.
1000 Books isn’t just for young readers!
Older brothers and sisters can become Super Hero Readers! Email your photos of older siblings reading to your child to kids@parklandlibrary.org. We will email you a Super Hero Reader certificate, and your child will star in our Super Hero Reader photo gallery on our website.
It’s never too early to start reading with your child.
Together, you and your child can read books from the library, from home, listen at storytime, listen to an audiobook, or read an ebook.
Ready to start cultivating your child’s love of reading with the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program?
Visit our children’s wing to register.
Questions? Click the button below to email our Youth Services Department.