Build a love of reading, one book at a time, with Naperville Public Library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
This self-paced reading challenge encourages children and their grownups to read 1,000 books together before they start kindergarten. While that may sound like a big goal, it is more achievable than you might think. If you read just one book every day for three years, your child will have read 1,095 books well before their first day of school.
Reading together helps children develop a lifelong love of reading while building the early literacy skills they need to become successful readers. Early literacy skills include everything children learn before they can read or write on their own. Listening to stories, hearing new words and talking about pictures all help prepare young readers for future success.
When you read to your child, you’re also stimulating the growth of their brain and developing the connections that will become the building blocks for reading later.
Joining the program is easy. Visit your nearest library and stop by the Children’s Services Desk to pick up a starter packet. The program is ongoing, self-paced and open to any child from birth through age 6 who has not started kindergarten. Families can begin when they’re ready and complete the program at their own speed.
Once you’ve signed up, it’s time for the most important part of the program: reading together! Each time you read a book, you’ll color in one square on your reading log. If your child has a favorite story, and they ask you to read it night after night, don’t worry — repeats count.
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You can also count books read during library storytimes, books read by other grownups, ebooks, audiobooks and more. All types of reading count.
As your child reaches reading milestones, they’ll earn exciting rewards along the way. After every 100 books read, visit the library to celebrate your progress. Children will be able to choose a fun prize from our treasure chest. Since this program wouldn’t be possible without your help, grownups will also receive an entry into a quarterly prize drawing for every 100 books read.
When your child finally reaches 1,000 books, it’s time to stop by the library to pick up a new book to keep. An additional book will also be added to the library’s collection in your child’s honor.
For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org/1000books or stop by the Children’s Services Desk at any of our three Library locations to begin your reading adventure!
Ashlee Conour is the marketing specialist at Naperville Public Library.