Parents, children encouraged to participate in 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.

HESPERIA — Families are invited to join the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program at Hesperia Community Library.  The “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program is a nationwide challenge that encourages parents and caregivers to regularly read aloud to their children. By reading just one book a night, families can reach the 1,000-book goal in three years and provide their children essential early literacy skills.  Families just need to pick up the folder with materials to record each book read.  When parents and their child have read 100 books come back to the library to begin your next 100.

Research shows that the most reliable predictor of school success is being read to during early childhood. Reading to children from an early age can help close the vocabulary gap and prepare children to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed. Most importantly, sharing books with children promotes a lifelong love of books and reading.  “Everyone wants their child to be ready and successful in school and this is one way to help them succeed” commented Colleen Aslakson, project coordinator.

The “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program is available to all families with children between the ages of birth and five years who have not yet started kindergarten. This program is free of charge.  For more information, call or visit the Hesperia Community Library at (231) 854-5125, 80 S. Division St. in Hesperia.