1000 Books Before Kindergarten

 

Welcome to the 1000 Books before Kindergarten Program!

 

This free program encourages you to read 1,000 books with your child before he or she enters school. Studies show that children should hear at least 1,000 books from birth to age 5 to build the pre-reading skills they need to succeed in school. Plus, sharing stories together is lots of fun!

 

Here is how the program works at the Traer Public Library:

1.   Read to your child.

2.   Cross out a symbol on the reading log for each book you read. Write down the titles of your favorite books.

3.   Each time you reach 100 titles, bring your reading log to the library.  Your child will receive a free book & a prize.  Pick up your next reading log.

4.   After reading 1,000 books, bring your last reading log into the library.  Your child will receive a free book, a prize, a graduation cap and a diploma.  With your permission, we will take a picture of your child for the newspaper and our face book page.


The only deadline for this program is when your child starts kindergarten, so take your time and enjoy the experience. Let the library help you get a jump-start on your child’s success in school. Stop in often to check out books, attend free programs and get great reading suggestions.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions
 
 

My child wants to read the same book over and over, does that count for the program each time we read it?

Yes, a book counts each time you read it, even if it is not new. Repetition may be tiresome to you, but it is very helpful for building your child’s confidence and comfort level with reading. It is also good to expose your child to new stories when they are ready to hear them.

My child hears stories when attending library programs or from our child-care provider, do those books count too?

Yes, any book your child hears counts for the program.

 
Tips for Reading to Infants & Toddlers
 
Make it fun and enjoyable
Read with expression in your voice and ask your child lots of questions about the story or pictures as you read to help keep them involved in the book.

Incorporate reading into a daily routine.
Does your child like to be read to in the morning, after lunch, after dinner, or at bedtime? Make reading something that your child anticipates, if your child wants to skip his or her reading sometimes, that’s okay too.

Read books about what interests your child.
Is your child excited about Paw Patrol?  What about Disney Movies?  Try to find books about things that interest your child. When your child gets older, take her to the library and she can choose her own books.

Hold your child while you read.
As much as possible, hold your child while you read.  Does he/she have a favorite blanket or toy?  If so, incorporate using the favorite blanket or toy in your reading.  For example, try using the blanket to create a fort, or maybe you can read to the favorite toy.

Don’t force it if your child is not in the mood.
It is okay to stop in the middle of a book and come back to it later.