Centre County Library Encourages Kids to Take Part in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program

This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.

The Centre County Library and Historical Museum is encouraging local families with children who have yet to start kindergarten to take part in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.

The program, created from an idea by Mem Fox in her book “Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives,” encourages children to read 1,000 books before starting kindergarten.

“Reading regularly with your child is known to promote parent/child bonding and early literacy skills,” a press release from the Centre County Library and Historical Museum shared. “Between the ages of zero to five, before kindergarten, parents and guardians are the main educators of children. Reading books regularly together strengthens the quality of education that parents and guardians can provide their children. The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is an easy and fun way to make reading regularly together an easy and manageable endeavor.

To participate in the program, visit centrecountylibrary.org/1bbk or a library branch in Bellefonte, Centre Hall or Philipsburg to register children for the program. Once registered, books read, including repeated books and books read by the children or others to the children can be recorded on a library tracking sheet. These sheets can be printed off the website or are available at each library location.

“After you and your child have completed 10 of these tracking sheets and turned them into the library, it’s time to finish the challenge and celebrate,” the release stated.

Upon completion, kids will earn a special 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten certificate, a commemorative book plate inside a new children’s library book and a picture frame 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten magnet.