Sign up for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten!

Book by book, step by step, help your child get ready for school and start a lifelong love of reading and learning!

Did you know that by reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing with your child that you can help foster their reading development? 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a program that encourages all families and caregivers to read 1,000 books with their young children before they enter kindergarten.

When you register your child for “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” at Vineyard Haven Public Library, you will receive a log to record your child’s progress. In the log, there are lots of tips to help parents and caregivers to read, write, talk, sing, and play with their children in meaningful ways that will help them to be ready to read when they enter kindergarten!

Studies have shown that families who start reading aloud to their children at birth help to strengthen their language skills and build their vocabulary – two important tools for beginning to learn to read when they enter kindergarten. By participating in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, you will be introduced to the Association for Library Service program called Every Child Ready to Read. Every Child Ready to Read has targeted pre-literacy skills and identified fve practices, or activities, that can help children enter school ready to learn to read.

How the Program Works

• Visit the library to register your child, at any age before they enter kindergarten, for this free do-it-at-home program
• Your child will receive a reading log to record the books you read together
• This month when you visit the library to register, you can also pick up some free board books and other rewards, while supplies last!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can sign up for this program? Any child from birth until kindergarten.

Do I have to read books from the library? You can read books from anywhere, not just library books.

Can I count books that are read to my child in school, or by a nanny or day care provider? Yes! Any and every book your child hears counts for this program.

What if my child wants to read the same book over and over? Repetition is key to learning. Each time you read the book, it counts.

My child likes to listen to books on the computer/iPad/eReader/etc. Can I count them? As long as your child listens to the whole book, it counts.

Will I have time to read 1,000 books with my child? It's easy! 3 books a day for 1 year = 1,095 books. 1 book a day for 3 years = 1,095 books

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten was started by the 1,000 Books Foundation, whose objectives are to promote reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers and to encourage parent and child bonding through reading. The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at the Vineyard Haven Public Library is funded by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Celebration on National Readathon Day

On Saturday, May 21st from 10:30am to Noon, Vineyard Haven Public Library will host a party to celebrate the first year of the "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" program at the Library. At the event, the Library will be recognizing current readers and welcoming new participants. There will be refreshments and playtime for preschoolers, and parents who enroll their child in the program will receive a gift and be entered to win a door prize.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a self-paced, do-it-at-home early literacy program started by the 1,000 Books Foundation, whose objectives are to promote reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers and to encourage parent and child bonding through reading. Studies have shown that families who start reading aloud to their children at birth help to strengthen their language skills and build their vocabulary – two important tools for beginning to learn to read when they enter kindergarten.

To participate, parents or other caregivers visit the Library to register their child, at any age before they enter kindergarten. Each family will receive a reading log to record the books read together, and will receive rewards for every 100 books read, including passes for overdue fines, gift certificates, or other small prizes including books. There is no charge to participate and the Library provides everything you need to complete the program, including an easy-to-use iPhone App.

Since Vineyard Haven Library launched the program last spring, nearly 50 families have signed up, and at least three children have completed the program by reading 1,000 books, including Juniper Begin and Milo Agnew, both 2 1/2 years old.

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at the Vineyard Haven Public Library has been funded by a grant to the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library from the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard. More information about the program can be found on the Library’s website.

Saturday May 21st is also National Readathon Day, a day dedicated to the joy of reading and giving, when readers everywhere can join together to read and raise funds in support of literacy. That afternoon from 2-4pm, the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library will hold their monthly mini book sale. In the spirit of Readathon Day, all books in the sale will be free, although donations to the Friends of the Library will be gratefully accepted and used to fund children's programs at the library.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten at VH Library

 

Book by book, step by step, help your child get ready for school and start a lifelong love of reading and learning!

Did you know that by reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing with your child that you can help foster their reading development? 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a program that encourages all families and caregivers to read 1,000 books with their young children before they enter kindergarten.

When you register your child for “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” at Vineyard Haven Public Library, you will receive a log to record your child’s progress. In the log, there are lots of tips to help parents and caregivers to read, write, talk, sing, and play with their children in meaningful ways that will help them to be ready to read when they enter kindergarten!

Studies have shown that families who start reading aloud to their children at birth help to strengthen their language skills and build their vocabulary – two important tools for beginning to learn to read when they enter kindergarten. By participating in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, you will be introduced to the Association for Library Service program called Every Child Ready to Read. Every Child Ready to Read has targeted pre-literacy skills and identified five practices, or activities, that can help children enter school ready to learn to read.

 

How the Program Works:

• Visit the library to register your child, at any age before they enter kindergarten, for this free do-it-at-home program
• Your child will receive a reading log to record the books you read together
• For every 100 books you read, your family will receive fun rewards

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can sign up for this program? Any child from birth until kindergarten.

Do I have to read books from the library?
You can read books from anywhere, not just library books.

Can I count books that are read to my child in school, or by a nanny or day care provider?
Yes! Any and every book your child hears counts for this program.

What if my child wants to read the same book over and over?
Repetition is key to learning. Each time you read the book, it counts.

My child likes to listen to books on the computer/iPad/eReader/etc. Can I count them?
As long as your child listens to the whole book, it counts.

Will I have time to read 1,000 books with my child?
It's easy! 3 books a day for 1 year = 1,095 books. 1 book a day for 3 years = 1,095 books

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten was started by the 1,000 Books Foundation, whose objectives are to promote reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers and to encourage parent and child bonding through reading. The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at the Vineyard Haven Public Library has been funded by a grant to the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library from the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard.