Develop literacy skills by reading with your little one!
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Welcome to 1000 Books Before Kindergarten!
1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a free literacy program for newborns, babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. The goal? Read 1000 books with your child before they start Kindergarten. This will help children develop a love of reading and grow the early literacy skills they need for success later in life.
What is Early Literacy? Early Literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they actually read or write. Recognizing print, letters and numbers, rhyming, vocabulary, narrative skills, and the motivation to read are literacy skills that children can start learning from birth.
Why 1000 books?
Did you know that reading to your child is one of the most powerful ways to boost his or her brainpower? Reading to your child every day helps build their early literacy skills and helps them prepare for school. The simple and enjoyable act of sharing books helps your child learn pre-reading skills such as understanding the sounds letters make, developing a bigger vocabulary, and building background knowledge—all important skills that help prepare your child for learning to read and entering kindergarten.
One thousand books may seem like a lot, but if you read just one book a night, you’ll meet your goal in less than 3 years. If you read three books a night, you could reach your goal in just one year! Ask our friendly staff for suggestions—we’re here to help you on your journey to 1000 Books Before Kindergarten!
How it works
Perth East Public Library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a fun, exciting, and free way to start your child on the path to success! Any child ages birth to five years can participate.
Just follow these steps:
- Start Your Reading: Pick up a tracking poster and any program materials at the Library or print them from our website.
- Track Your Reading: Colour in, or cross out, a stack of books on the tracking poster for each book you read to your child.
- Every Book Counts: Even if your child wants to hear the same book again and again, you can count it each time. You can also count the books your child hears in storytime, in daycare or preschool, or with a friend or family member, as long as your child listens to the entire book.
- Keep on Reading: Don’t stop at 1000! Keep on reading together; there’s more learning ahead!
- Share Your Journey: We invite you to share your 1000 Books Before Kindergarten journey on social media. Tag us @pertheastpl and use the hashtag #1000BooksB4K