1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Missouri River Regional Library is proud to participate in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. This nationwide initiative encourages reading to newborns, toddlers, and preschoolers to foster a love of books and prepare them for school.
How does it work?
Visit the library to receive a reading log, download the log here, or download the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten app. Every time you and your child read a book together, check off the log or record it on the app. It doesn't matter if it's the same book multiple times...all that matters is that you're reading! When you reach a reading milestone (100, 200, 300, 500, and 700) visit the library for a prize. When you reach 1,000 books your child will receive a free book, a picture on social media, and a t-shirt.
Who can participate?
All children from birth through the time when he/she enters kindergarten. Families are encouraged to participate together, so feel free to sign up multiple children.
How long will it take?
The program is self-paced, so it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years! It's really up to you and depends on how often you read together.
How can we possibly read 1,000 books before kindergarten?
Easy! If you read just one book a night, you will read 365 books in a year. In two years, the number will grow to 730. In the third year, you will surpass the goal at 1,095 books. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at age 5 or 6, you have more time than you think and it's never too late to start!
How do you begin?
The program is ongoing, so you can begin at any time by visiting the children's check out desk at Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson City or the check out desk at the Osage County Branch to sign up. You can either pick up a reading log to track books or download the app.
What books count?
Any time your child listens to a whole book it counts! It can be a library book, a book from home, a book read at story time, even an audiobook or ebook. Books can be read by anyone at anytime. You do not have to write down titles, just keep track of how many books are read.
What if my child just wants to read the same book over and over?
The good news is that repetition is important to learning and you can count that book each time it is read.
Why should I participate?
Numerous studies estimate that as many as one in five children have difficulties learning to read. Reading has been associated as an early indicator of academic success. Public formal education does not typically start until ages 5-6. Before then, parents and caregivers are the first education providers during the 0-5 early critical years. The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a simple (read a book, any book to your child, with the goal of reading 1,000 before kindergarten) and very manageable endeavor.
Studies have also 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, whether you are reading books your family owns, picking them out on a visit to the library, or downloading them onto an e-reader device. Experts agree that children who learn the necessary skills early do better in school and later in life. Participating in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten can help put your child on the right track.
It has also been shown that children who are read to an early age will be better prepared to learn to read. They will have heard more than 30 million words by age three. They will have a significantly larger vocabulary by age six, dramatically impacting reading success. They will score higher on reading, math, and general knowledge tests.