Westfield Memorial Library is proud to present our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. The concept is simple. Read any book to your baby, toddler, or child with the goal of reaching 1,000 books before they enter Kindergarten.
This is a self-paced program and the goal is to make reading a fun activity that engages babies and children with their caregivers. A happy relationship with books is the first step towards reading as a habit, which many experts agree is the best predictor of academic success in nearly every measurable category.
1,000 books is not as daunting as it may sound. If you read just one book a day from when your baby is born, you will finish in less than 3 years! Three books before bedtime will get you there in less than a year. What if your child only wants to read one favorite book over and over? Each time you read it counts as a separate entry!
How to Participate
We’ve made tracking your progress easy by using READsquared, available as a convenient app, or on your computer at http://wmlnj.READsquared.com/ . There are several book lists within READsquared if you need recommendations based on age or popular topics. You can choose the level of detail to include when tracking each book and track the same book for multiple accounts if you have more than one child participating.
If you want your child to see the progress they are making, we have a printable chart for home use below.
Rewards for Reading
For every 100 books your child reads, they will receive a numbered milestone sticker to take home. When they finish their goal and reach 1,000 books, they will receive a printable completion certificate from READsquared and a special picture book to take home. And be on the lookout for a personal invitation to an annual celebration just for kids who have completed the program! We will also have a Wall of Fame in the children’s department where each child can follow their name on a star moving forward as they progress.
If you have any questions or need help signing up, please contact the Youth Services department at youthservices@wmlnj.org or 908-789-4090 ext. 4114
Happy Reading!
