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1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
A reading program for Early Learners [Ages Birth to before Kindergarten]
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a free program encouraging all parents and caregivers to read daily to their children, ensuring a solid foundation for learning when their child reaches kindergarten.
How Does 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten work?
Step 1: Register
Sign up at any Siouxland Libraries branch and receive a keepsake logbook for recording your progress or register online here.
Step 2: Track Your Reading Online or at the Library
Keep track of each book you read in your keepsake logbook by coloring a circle for each book. We know children love repetition and it helps them learn, so feel free to read the same books over and over!
You can track your reading:
- Online at our 1,000 Books READsquared page.
- By calling 605-367-8700
- In-person at one of our library branches.
Step 3: Show us your progress
For every 200 books you read, bring your reading log to any library branch to receive a special prize. When you reach 1,000 books you'll receive a free book to keep!
Daycares can get involved, too: Read 100 Books in Your Class
Download the Read 100 Books in Your Class poster or pick one up at your neighborhood library. Mark off a book on the poster each time you read to your class. When you reach 100 books, submit the completed log to any Siouxland Libraries branch for a prize. You may complete up to ten logs each year.
Benefits of reading
to your child
- Develops vocabulary
- Increases interest in printed words
- Instills a positive attitude about reading
- Builds the foundation for your child to be a lifelong learner
How can you read 1,000 books? It's easier than you think...
It takes about 20 minutes to read 3 picture books. Do this every night and you will reach 1,000 books in less than a year!