1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
In an effort to encourage families to read together every day, our library has partnered with the New Hampshire State Library to bring you "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten," a program designed for children from birth to about age 5 (or the summer before Kindergarten).
Why read 1,000 books? Research proves that children need to hear 1000 books before they begin to learn to read independently. Reading to children will increase their vocabulary and their listening and narrative skills. Reading with children will also help to instill in them self-awareness, confidence and an understanding of their place in the world.
1,000 books seems like an awful lot for a toddler. It's actually a very attainable goal! One book a day for three years = about 1,000 books! Three books a day for one year = about 1,000 books!
How do we participate? It's easy! stop by the library to sign up and pick up your first reading log. Check off the numbers as you read. There is no title necessary. You and your little one(s) can read a thousand different books or the same book a thousand times! What matters is that you are reading together.
Are there incentives or prizes? Yes! Your child's first 100 books earns a place on the wall with a very special nametag. Move from tree to tree for every hundred books your child completes. Each hundred will also get you a special sticker. Here's the official breakdown:
- 100 Books: Nametag, name on the first tree, sticker, and a sticker keeper (if you'd like one).
- 200 Books: Nametag moved to second tree, a FREE library book bag with NH 1,000 Books logo, a prize book, and a sticker
- 300 Books: Nametag moved to third tree, sticker
- 400 Books: Nametag moved to fourth tree, sticker
- 500 Books: Nametag moved to fifth tree, sticker
- 600 Books: Nametag moved to sixth tree, sticker
- 700 Books: Nametag moved to seventh tree, sticker
- 800 Books: Nametag moved to eigth tree, sticker
- 900 Books: Nametag moved to ninth tree, sticker
- 1,000 Books: Nametag moved to sun, sticker, prize book, pencil that proclaims "I Read 1,000 Books!"
All children who complete the program in a particular calendar year will be awarded a certificate of completion at that year's 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten party, along with a special button!
