1000 Books before Kindergarten
There is no doubt that in today’s world; most of us are often running at a breakneck pace. As parents, we are busy working, trying to run a household, and keeping up with social and volunteer obligations. For many of us, it is difficult to slow down and take a breath. However, when your preschooler cuddles up on your lap and asks you to read their favorite book, we pause for a moment and settle in to read Goodnight Moon for the thousandth time.
Research has shown that these times of reading to our young children proves to pay out huge dividends later down the road when they enter school. Children have higher literacy skills and reading abilities throughout elementary school when their parents have read to them during their toddler and preschool years.
Additionally, reading to your small children increases parent-child bonding and helps children associate reading with positive feelings, such as safety and warmth. They carry these feelings throughout their school careers.
Founded in Nevada in 2013, the 1,000 Books Foundation is a non-profit organization that hopes to promote reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers, as well as encourage parent and child bonding through reading.
Although it was founded in Nevada, The Foundation has helped libraries in all fifty states, as well as Canada, set up 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten programs at local levels. Many of these libraries provide reading log sheets and small rewards that encourage your child along their quest to read 1,000 books.
The concept is easy, but the rewards are endless. Read any book to your infant, toddler, or preschooler. The target is to have read 1,000 books (and yes, you can reread favorites) before your child starts kindergarten.
If it sounds difficult, think of it this way: if you read one book every night for a year, that is 365 books. That is 730 books in two years, and 1,095 books in three years. Since most children start kindergarten at age five or six, you have more time than you may think.
If you are interested in learning more about this fantastic program or finding a participating library in your area, check out their website: http://1000booksbeforekindergarten.org/.
For more information about Calvary University’s Family Literacy Program, check here.
