Richland Community Library is kicking off an early childhood reading program to help parents prepare children for one of life’s big milestones: kindergarten. The “1000 Books B4K” program will be introduced during the “Get Ready for Kindergarten – 1000 Books Celebration!” on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
The Family and Children’s Services fund of Lebanon County, a fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, has partnered with the library to challenge families to share 1,000 books with their children before they begin elementary school.
Lebanon Family Health Services along with local Occupational Therapist Emily Maisto will present a roundtable discussion for parents on managing behaviors and modeling healthy choices. 1000 Books B4K graduates will be recognized and honored.
All participants will receive a take home informational packet and book resource to help prepare everyone for the start of kindergarten. Refreshments and children’s activities will be provided.
"One major goal of our program is to develop a habit of reading. One of the best ways to encourage learning is to spend time sharing books every day. Reading together helps develop important pre-reading skills that provide a solid reading foundation --a key to school and learning success," said Amy Davis, Library Director.
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program began in the Bremen Public Library in Indiana and has spread throughout the Midwest and Northeastern United States. The program is inspired by Mem Fox’s book “Reading Magic” and is based upon research findings that children who have books read to them at young ages are more prepared to learn to read in kindergarten.
For more details on the program, contact the Richland Library at 717-866-4939 or email Amy at adavis@lclibs.org.
