The Erie County Public Library and the Public Libraries of Erie County are taking part in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge.
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a national reading program designed to help parents prepare their children for kindergarten while cultivating lifelong literacy skills and a love of reading.
Children develop the skills to read years before they begin formal education. The most effective way to get children ready to learn is to read to them. To encourage that behavior, this challenge is open to children from birth to those who are just beginning kindergarten.
“You are your child’s first teacher,” says Shane Donaldson, youth services manager for Erie County Public Library. “When you read, sing, play, write, and talk, you are helping your child get ready to read. The practice of reading to your child throughout their formative years has a lifelong impact on their ability to learn. Our public libraries are the ideal place to host this challenge because we provide families a free and virtually endless supply of books to reach that 1,000-book goal.”
Reading aloud to children develops knowledge about a variety of topics, builds vocabulary, and increases familiarity with story structure, language patterns, and the reading process. The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a fun and family-inclusive way to build these skills in young children and set them up for success in school.
All public libraries in Erie County – including independent libraries that share many services and a catalog with Erie County Public Library – will be providing the program via Beanstack, thanks to the support of the Friends of the Erie County Library. Along with all five Erie County branches, participating libraries include:
- Albion Public Library
- Rice Avenue Community Library
- Waterford Public Library
- Union City Public Library
- Corry Public Library
- McCord Memorial Library
Beanstack, an online platform, allows families to log the number of books read to their child, and receive recognition and encouragement upon milestone achievements.
Call the Erie County Public Library Youth Services Department at 814-452-6936 with questions.
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