What is 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten?
Help your child get ready to succeed in school by reading 1,000 books with them before kindergarten! Each book you read counts, including every reread favorite and book you hear in storytime! Studies have shown that families who start reading aloud to their children at birth help strengthen their language skills and build their vocabulary.
How it Works
- Any child who hasn’t entered kindergarten yet is eligible for the program, including infants.
- Go to chathamlib.beanstack.org to register for the program. If you would like to create a Family Account, please create an account for yourself first and then register your child or children under your account.
- Track your reading of any books you have (Yes, you can repeat books!). At the following milestones, return to the Chatham Area Public Library to receive a prize.
When Will You Finish?
The program is self-paced and will depend on how often you read together.
1 book per day x 3 years = 1095 books
3 books per day x 1 year = 1095 books
10 books per week x 2 years = 1040 books
Need help using Beanstack? Watch our tutorial.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Tips for Reading Out Loud with Your Children
Tips for reading out loud with your child include:
- Make reading time part of your child’s routine. Try reading a book in the morning when your child wakes up, after lunchtime, before naptime or before bedtime—see what works best for your child.
- Make reading time exciting. Read using different voices for different characters or pick books with simple songs and rhymes.
- Make reading time interesting. Let your child pick out the books they want you to read out loud to them based on their interests or pictures that they like on the cover of a book.
- Make reading time comforting. Children love hearing the same books over and over again. It’s okay to read the same book multiple times!
- Make reading time interactive. As your child gets older, ask them questions about what’s happening in the pictures on each page or what they think might happen next.
Help Finding Books to Read
These booklists developed by librarians bring to life the different varieties of books that are available for you to choose to read to your little one.
More Ways To Read
