Christmas is the perfect time to give the gift of books and reading to others, but knowing what books to get — particularly for very young children — can be daunting.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library’s (TNRL) “1001 Before Grade One” program can help. It’s a brand-new (and free) early literacy program that makes it easy and fun to build the habit of daily reading at home, by encouraging parents and caregivers to read 1001 stories with their child before they start Grade One.
Children’s author Mem Fox has said “Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read. Or the same story a thousand times!” and the TNRL agrees.
“Children who are regularly read to at home grow up to have greater enjoyment and higher confidence in their reading and writing,” says Melissa Miller, the TNRL’s early years coordinator.
“As a result, children exposed to reading tend to be more successful in school and, ultimately, in life. We encourage all families in the Thompson-Nicola region to take advantage of this opportunity through the 1001 Before Grade One program.”
The program even comes with a free gift, just in time for Christmas. Parents and caregivers can pick up a 1001 Before Grade One package at any TNRL location, including the Mobile Library and the new tiny library at Aberdeen Mall. Each package includes a tote bag, book, reading tracker, bookmark, and a magnet.
Parents and caregivers complete the tracking sheet, and each completed one gets participants 100 stories closer to the goal. For every 100 stories you read, your child will earn a stamp, and there are special prizes for reaching 500 and 1001 stories.
A story can be just about anything, including (but not limited to) a book that you or someone else reads your child; an oral story you tell your child; a book your child hears at daycare or preschool, or at a storytime or library program; or an eBook that you and your child read together on a computer or tablet. It also includes any audiobooks you and your child listen to together.
You can also count the same book more than once. Most children go through a developmental stage between the ages of 2 and 3 where they want to read the same books over, and over, and over again. While this can be tedious for grown-ups, it’s a major milestone for your child, as repetition is an important learning tool.
Reading 1001 books sounds daunting, but reading just one book with your child every day means you’ll be finished in less than three years. Increase that to two books a day, and you’ll meet the goal by the time your child is 18 months.
There is no set reading list; choose the books and format that most appeal to you and your child. If you’re having trouble choosing, ask the staff at any TNRL branch for their recommendations.
The TNRL also has book lists for every age group; to see them, and learn more about the 1001 Before Grade One program, go to https://bit.ly/3v1sDF5.
