Over 1000 Pre-Schoolers take on the Challenge of 1000 Books!

Goldfields Libraries are delighted to congratulate two young locals on a job well done in the new 1000 Books Before School program! Congratulations to Ava Ryan, the first participant to read 1000 books in the program, and to Angus Jewell, the 1000th pre-schooler to register for the program.

Both Ava and Angus registered for the 1000 Books Before School program at Woodend Library, and both have received a special book pack to enjoy on their reading journeys.

“Having launched this program last November, we’re delighted to have so many families in the Goldfields Region embrace the program.” said Chris Kelly, Goldfields Library Corporation CEO.

“It’s so important for families to give their children early year’s literacy and learning opportunities like these. Reading to children from birth prepares them for school and gives them a great start in life. The 1000 Books Before School programs help to alleviate the number of children who ‘slip through the cracks’ due to low literacy levels,” said Ms Kelly.

Children who sign up for the program will now receive the newly designed 1000 Books Before School Reading Record booklet to keep track of their progress, with milestone rewards along the way.

Children aged 0-5 who are yet to start school can register at any Goldfields Library branch or agency. They will receive a 1000 Books Before School kit, which includes the new Reading Record booklet. Registration and participation is free.

The same story can be read multiple times, and hearing stories at Storytime sessions count too. Reading eBooks or listening to audio books also counts – a great range are available in the Goldfields Libraries eLibrary, including stories read by celebrities available in Storybox Library: www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/ekids

The program is an initiative of Public Libraries Victoria and has had great success with increasing children’s literacy in other parts of the world. It encourages positive early experiences of reading at home, which in turn greatly develop a child’s future ability to read and write, instilling a life-long love of reading.

Reading 1000 books might sound arduous to some, but if built into a child’s daily routine, it will become a fun and rewarding opportunity to spend quality time together. Picture books only take 5-10 minutes to read, so one book a day would take less than three years to reach 1000, and three books a day would achieve 1000 in less than one year! Ava achieved 1000 books in four months – a job well done!

More information about the 1000 Books Before School program can be found at www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/1000books

    
Left: Ava
Right: Angus with Woodend Librarian Glenda (left) and Woodend Library Manager Lulu