The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is designed to help parents and caregivers prepare their children for one of life's big milestones: kindergarten! Research has proven over and over again that children get ready to read years before they begin their formal education. The most effective way to get your child ready to learn is to read to them.
How to Get Started
- Stop by the library to pick up your packet with reading logs
- Come back every time you've completed 50 books to receive a sticker. A small prize is awarded at the 100-book mark, and you can pick up your next log sheet
- When you've finished reading 1,000 books, your child will select a new book to add to their home collection and receive a special prize for completing the program
Tips for Success
- Have fun reading together! Take every opportunity to read with your child, tell and talk about stories, say nursery rhymes, and sing songs
- Variety is key. Expose your child to different types of stories and vocabulary. Learning depends on repetition — it's great when children ask for favorites again and again — but also introduce new stories so they hear as many new words and concepts as possible
- Keep it enjoyable. Children learn best when the experience is pleasurable for both of you
It's Easier Than You Think
- Read 1 story at bedtime every night for 3 years = 1,095 books
- Read 10 books a week for 2 years = 1,040 books
This small time commitment is well worth the advantage you'll be giving your child — and the memories you'll form spending time together.
Why It Matters
Learning to read begins before children start school. Parents of newborns, toddlers, and preschoolers are their children's first teachers. Five simple activities build early literacy skills:
Talking • Singing • Reading • Writing • Playing
These activities help develop five key pre-reading skills:
- Phonological Awareness — hearing and playing with smaller sounds in words
- Vocabulary — knowing the meanings of words, feelings, concepts, and ideas
- Print Conventions — knowing how to handle a book and follow words on a page
- Background Knowledge — the prior knowledge your child has learned
- Letter Knowledge — recognizing letters, knowing their names and sounds
How to Sign Up
Visit the Mamakating Library to sign up in person. Our children's librarian will get you set up with everything you need to start your reading journey. This program is for children ages 0 through 5.
