1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Remember, if you have not yet registered, there are two ways to participate in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten:

• You can visit a Library location to receive a paper log. Staff will take your information and provide you with a booklet to keep track of all the books your child reads. 
• Or sign up on Beanstack to track books online, the Library’s online reading platform. Just create an account and log books as your child completes them. You can even download the Beanstack app to log books by scanning their barcode with your phone!

Literacy at Home
Did you know that one of the core principles of Every Child Ready to Read is singing? Singing is a great way for children to learn new language skills. When we sing, we’re slowing down the language and allowing children to hear the smaller sounds within the words. Singing also introduces children to new vocabulary, and the repetition of most songs helps them learn and remember these new words.

But what if you aren’t the world’s best singer? Don’t worry about it! It doesn’t matter to your child whether or not you can carry a tune. Kora Lisak from Listen and Talk tells us that “your voice is your most powerful tool to teach your child language”, and by singing to your child, they are bonding with your voice. What’s more, when you are singing to your child, you’re also looking and smiling at them, and your child is going to love all of the attention that you’re giving them. So don’t worry if your singing is good or bad, your child will be thrilled no matter what because it’s you. 

Here are some suggestions from The Stepping Stone School on how to incorporate singing into your child’s life:

• Sing any chance you get! Start making songs part of your routine! Sing while getting ready in the morning, at mealtimes, and bedtime.
• Encourage your child to sing along with you! Have them pick out which songs you’re singing/listening to.
• Remember to smile and be expressive while singing! Using exaggerated facial expressions or gestures can make the song more engaging and enjoyable for your child.
• Play music around the house or in the car! 
• Remember to keep it fun! As we’ve already discussed, don’t worry about hitting the right notes – your child is going to love your singing regardless. 

Book recommendations
Here are some books you can sing along with!

• Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin

• The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort

• Singing in the Rain by Arthur Freed

• Baby Shark by John John Bajet

• If You're A Monster and You Know It by Rebecca Emberly

• Pete the Cat by James Dean