For Parents

Ways to Read to Children:

What to do before, during, and after reading a book to your child.

To Do BEFORE you read a book:

  • Read the title, author, and illustrator's name
  • Introduce and teach vocabulary words that may be hard for them

To Do DURING reading a book:

  • Make predictions
  • Ask questions
  • Answer children's questions
  • Read with enthusiasm
  • Use different voices

To Do AFTER reading a book:

  • Use sentence completion opportunities
  • Do activities related to the book
    • retell the story
    • draw a picture
    • do a craft

Help Children Build Strong Language Skills!

Tips to work with your child to build a strong vocabulary and other language skills.

  • Listen as much as you talk
  • Talk about things your child is already interested in
  • Make a conversation longer by adding new information or asking a follow-up question
  • Make a point of introducing your children to other adults, or children, telling them another their names
  • Use meal time to ask about the day's events
  • Use drive time, turn off the radio
  • Reread familiar stories, and talk about the book
  • Follow the child's lead, and encourage a train of thought they already have
  • Comment on what your child is doing
    • ex. "Oh wow, you made a big house out of these blocks!"
  • Ask a variety of questions in a conversation
    • Who, What, Where, Why, What do you think?

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program:

The concept is simple; the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes, you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten. The 1000 Books Foundation provides useful information and resources to parents and caregivers and enables libraries, schools, churches, and other non-profit entities to host 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenges in their local community.

The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program provides an innovative, yet fun approach to establishing strong early literacy skills. Parents and caregivers keep track of the books they read to their children. Using log sheets, journals, or an iPhone and Android App. This challenge helps parents and caregivers give young children the confidence to become strong readers and successful in school and life.

To join the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge, just stop in at the library to pick up your 0-100 book log. When you finish reading your 100th book, stop in the library again for a picture, a prize and your next reading log!