The Natchitoches Parish Library’s “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” is a program designed to help parents prepare their children for one of life’s biggest milestones: kindergarten. Research has shown that children get ready to read long before they enter school, and an excellent way to prepare one’s child for the classroom is by reading to her. Reading with one’s child can be both a special time together, and a demonstration of the value and joy of reading.

Any child who has not yet entered kindergarten and lives, or goes to school, in Natchitoches Parish may participate in the program. The program can take anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on how often you read. If parents read three books a day for 1 year, that is 1,095 books, just over the goal of 1,000. Or one book a day for 3 years will also get one’s child over the 1,000 book mark. Anytime a child listens to a whole book, it counts: it can be a library book, a book from home, a book read in story time, or even an audio or e-book. Parents can even count multiple readings of the same book! Books can be read to a child anywhere, at anytime, by anyone.

Children’s Librarian, Annabel Jones, encourages parents to enroll their children, reminding them, “You are your child’s first and most important teacher!”

Parents wishing to register their children may visit the Children’s Circulation Desk anytime during library hours and receive a “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” reading packet. For more information regarding 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, parents may call the Children’s Circulation Desk at 318-238-9222.

Zach Bloxom points to his star in the 1,000 books goal area. Bloxom is the first Natchitoches Parish library patron to reach the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten goal.