1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a library program that gets your child excited about reading and learning from a young age. It was created by The 1000 Books Foundation which operates exclusively for charitable, literary, and educational purposes. Their objectives are to promote reading to newborns and toddlers, as well as encourage parent and child bonding.

According to 1000booksbeforekindergarten.org, reading has been associated as an early indicator of academic success. With this program, you and your child can get a head start on their education and language skills, which is critical during their years before formal education. Most kids do not start school until age 5, but from birth until that age is the time when their brains are developing the most. The program is self-paced, and can be completed at any time before the child reaches kindergarten. If you read one book a day with your child, you will reach 1000 books in less than three years.

You can participate in the 1000 Books program here at Kendall Young Library. Simply read to your child and record each book with the goal of reading 1000 before they reach kindergarten. Sign up your child (birth-kindergarten) at Kendall Young Library. Just fill out a registration form from the Children’s Desk and start reading. You will get a sheet to keep track of the books read in 100 increments. Once you have checked off all 100, bring it back for your next sheet. Your child will receive prizes when they finish 400, 800, and 1000 books.

The 1000booksbeforekindergarten.org website has great resources and details about this awesome program for newborns and toddlers. There is a reading list of books your child should hear before kindergarten, tattoos, T-shirts, and even certificates of completion for each 100 books they read. Make it fun and exciting. You can take pictures of your child when they reach certain reading goals for your own memories or to share on Facebook, with the hashtag #100BooksB4K. Your child could even be featured on their website. Reading is so fun.

This program allows kids to grow up with the love of reading and learning, which we of course think is highly important. One of my favorite memories was being read to every night by my parents. They did this for as far back as I can remember and I thank them for it. I was able to get a head start on reading, which helped me keep up and succeed in school. And it also gave me the love of books, imagination, libraries, and learning. This ultimately helped shape who I am today.

If you have a newborn-kindergarten age child, come to Kendall Young Library and sign up for this awesome and impactful program. It would be a great opportunity for you to bond with your child, help them start learning, and utilize the library’s resources. We have many, many amazing children’s books for you to look through in our Children’s department on the bottom floor of the library. We hope to see you there.