A program for young children designed to encourage early literacy and a lifelong love of reading is now being promoted at Washoe County library branches.
The “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” initiative is being dubbed as a fun, exciting, and free way to start children on the path to success. Las Vegas law firms Luh & Associates and Borghese Legal Ltd. are founding sponsors.
This might sound like a daunting task for some parents of small children. However, all books count. Board books with one word per page are fine. Books could even be read multiple times and each time counts, which is good news for parents if their child insists the same story be reread to him or her.
Read one book per day and the goal will be reached in less than three years. Read three books a day and accomplish the goal within a year. If the child is able to read, they can read to their parents.
The most reliable predictor of success in school is being read to during early childhood, which can increase a child’s vocabulary and prepare them to enter kindergarten with necessary skills.
Washoe County Library System’s Gift of Reading fundraiser recently raised more than $30,000 that will go toward purchasing new children’s books.
“Washoe County Library System is dedicated to helping children succeed by providing a variety of early literacy opportunities for parents and young children,” library director Jeff Scott said in a statement. “We encourage parents to read to their children every day.”
Those wishing to participate can pick up a reading log at any library branch or download the program’s application onto an electronic device. More information is online at https://www.washoecountylibrary.us/resources/1000-books.php
Donated books are also accepted at branches countywide.
