The New Carlisle Public Library, the New Carlisle Rotary Club, and the New Carlisle News are partnering to kick off the New Year with a new program designed to encourage a love of books and reading, “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.” Based on the finding that reading together on a regular basis is the single most important way to get children ready to read and to later succeed in school, the program is designed to give families incentives and support to accomplish the goal of every child reading 1,000 books before he or she starts kindergarten.
The New Carlisle program was inspired by Demi Clinton, a former Tecumseh Local Schools teacher who completed the program with his child and found it to be a rewarding experience. Mr. Clinton says of the program, “We absolutely loved it from start to finish…we started the program when my son was eighteen months old and by two years old, he was very familiar with the alphabet and the sounds letters made, opposites of words, geometrical shapes, numbers 1-10, animals, feelings, and so much more. He was also speaking and comprehending at a very high level and could better communicate thoughts and feelings which cut down on a lot of frustrations for him and us. Now, my son is in kindergarten and he is top of his grade in every subject.”
The New Carlisle Rotary Club immediately recognized the worth of this program and donated the funding to make the program possible. Mr. Scott Griffith, past President of the New Carlisle Rotary Club, commented, “New Carlisle Rotary Club is excited to help parents prepare their children for schooling, for several reasons. First, our whole community benefits when our students are more prepared for school. Second, better prepared students are more likely to graduate high school, and go on to lead productive lives in our community. But finally, if even one student gains the knowledge to achieve his or her dreams, because a parent read to their child before kindergarten, the New Carlisle Rotary Club is proud to play a small part.”
Library Director Bryan Howard added, “I believe this is a wonderful program for our community as there needs to be a greater emphasis on early childhood literacy. Childhood learning starts well before the child ever steps into a classroom and this program is a positive step in that direction.”
Beginning January 1, 2016, parents of preschool children will be able to pick up a reading log and a special bag for their library books. Use the reading log to track books shared with your child, and each time a log is complete, indicating you have shared 100 books together, bring it to the library for a completion sticker and to receive your next log. At the 500 and 1,000 book milestones, children will receive a free book! Upon reaching the goal of 1,000 books, families will have their photos taken to run in the New Carlisle News and to be included in our Reading Hall of Fame. The New Carlisle branch of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken will display the names of children reading 1,000 books on their digital marquee.
Children can choose any book at the library or at home – there are no special books for this program. A child’s personal books, books checked out from the library, story times attended, books read in daycare, and repeat readings of the same book may all be included in the count to “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.” Children can begin the program at any point, but it will end when they start Kindergarten.
Literacy experts note it is never too early to start reading to your child, as reading aloud helps build your child’s vocabulary and communication skills. Reading also stimulates your child’s imagination, increases attention span, and nurtures a strong relationship between parent and child. If your child sees you reading, they will model that behavior.
We hope your family will accept our 1,000 Book Challenge!
For more information, contact the Children’s Library at 845-3601, ext. 207, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
