Colleyville Public Library launches 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program

A new program encouraging children to interact with books starting at birth has made its way to the Colleyville Public Library.

On Oct. 28, the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program debuted at the library. The goal of the program is to encourage parents to read 1,000 books with their child before kindergarten.

Colleyville Library Director Mary Rodne said picture books and reading the same book to a child multiple times count toward the total number of books.

“I think it's so important for them to be encouraged to read,” Rodne said, citing the program’s research finding that children who are read to at an early age are more likely to be successful in school.

Reading aloud to infants and children encourages social, emotional and cognitive development, according to the program.

The program is more manageable than it sounds, Rodne said. Reading one book a day with a child every day will have a child reaching the 1,000-book goal in less than three years, she said.

For every 100 books a child reads, a prize will be awarded, Rodne said. Each spring the library will hold a ceremony recognizing the children who have completed the program.

To learn more about the program and how to sign up, call the Colleyville Public Library at 817-503-1150.