1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a nationally recognized program that encourages parents and caregivers of preschoolers to read regularly with their children in order to develop the early literacy skills that are essential for school success. Research has shown that the most reliable predictor of school success is how often a child is read to during the early years. Reading to children from an early age can develop vocabulary, increase letter recognition, and improve comprehension and narrative skills that are essential for learning to read. Most importantly, sharing books with children promotes a lifelong love of books and reading!
You can register for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten in person or online here. You can log the books read on a log-sheet from the library or here.
FAQs
How long will it take to complete the program?
One thousand books may seem like a lot, but it all depends on how often you read with your child. For instance, if you read:
- Three books a day, you’ll finish in just one year.
- Two books a day, you’ll finish in two years.
- One book a day, you’ll finish in three years.
Which books count towards the goal?
Every book you read counts, every time your child hears it. This includes books read by siblings, books children hear at storytime or while at daycare.
Can I read the same books over and over?
It’s easier to read 1000 books than you think! If you read one book a day with your child from the time they are born until they turn five, you will have read 1,825 books!