Samantha Jones
Frederick County Public Libraries
 

(11/8) Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL) has instituted a new program that invites families and caregivers to read 1,000 books with their children before they enter kindergarten. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an incentivized road-map for parents and children alike to achieve higher levels of literacy and school readiness before entering kindergarten.

This new program is part of a growing initiative across the nation to stress early literacy skills as the building blocks necessary for educational success later in life. Research shows that some of the most dramatic brain development occurs during the first three years of life and it is when children acquire their ability to think, speak, learn, and reason.

The best way to prepare your child at a young age is by reading aloud according to the US Department of Education in their report Becoming a Nation of Readers. FCPL is committed to providing children with the best possible library services needed to succeed in and out of school. Each storytime held at any of the library branches helps children on their way to 1,000 books and provides school readiness tips for parents and caregivers to bring the learning home.

Currently, 63% of children from low income households in Frederick county did not enter kindergarten "ready to learn" as measured by the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. FCPL believes that this new program, along with their robust programming schedule for 0-5 year olds at each of their nine branches will help address this disparity in the county.

"We are excited to help our youngest customers develop a love for reading that will set them on a path to success," said Janet Vogel, Youth Services Manager at FCPL. "Reading 1,000 books over the span of six years is easier than you think with the high-quality tools and programming available in our libraries."

FCPL has partnered with Beanstack, an online reading log, to help families track their progress through the program. Families can also participate with printed logs available at each branch. After every 100 books read, participants can earn badges online with Beanstack and visit their local branch for stickers. Upon completion of the program, children will receive a special prize to celebrate their achievement.