Niobrara County News

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

On behalf of the 1,000 Books Foundation we invite you to participate in the library’s free “One More Page: 1,000 Books before Kindergarten” with your child before he or she starts kindergarten.

The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read books to your newborn, infant, toddler and preschooler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (you can even repeat books!) before your child starts kindergarten. If you read just 1 book a night, you will have read 365 books in a year, that is 720 books in two years and 1,095 in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten around 5 years of age, you have more than enough time.

The key is perseverance. Make it exciting. Come into the library and pick up a log sheet and one of our lists of a 100 books to begin reading with your child. Find the books in the library and check them out. When you and your child reach the 100 book milestones come in for stickers and prizes.

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 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, or use our log sheets. The journal will make a great keepsake item for your child.

If you are able to, make sure to keep a record of ‘any’ book that is being read to your child.

FAQ’s

Who can participate: Any child from birth until he or she enters kindergarten can participate in the “One More Page: 1000 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.

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” — Emilie Buchwald