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Read 1,000 books before Kindergarten |love for reading|early literacy

October 28, 2017
Read 1,000 books to your baby before Kindergarten. Seen in the picture are the books: Little hoot, Colors and shapes, Inside outside upside down, Dr. Seuss's ABC, Wheels at work, Bears are big

Reading a story opens your mind and let’s your imagination fly. And when you read to your kids, you instill a lifelong love for reading and in turn, pass on a world of possibilities that will allow them to take on life. Reading to your baby is a wonderful bonding experience that you must take on very early in their lives and in fact, you even when the baby is in your womb. Early literacy is the most important gift you can pass on to the next generation for free – well, almost free. Read 1,000 books before Kindergarten to your baby and ensure a lifetime of literacy and love for reading.

Read 1,000 books to your baby before Kindergarten Read 1,000 books to your baby

To be honest, initially I did not bother squeezing in time to read. And then I visited NYC and met a very good ol’ friend of mine. She gifted him a couple of books and when I read to him, I realized how wonderful the experience is! We really enjoy our story time. I know many parents include reading as part of the bedtime routine but I love doing it during the day when we are nice and fresh. I also LOVE story time at our local libraries.
Story time at the Schimelpfenig Library
Story time at the Library
 In the US, join your local library for the 1,000 books before kindergarten. It is an outstanding initiative to promotes early childhood literacy. They also have a recommended list of books your kid can read before Kindergarten but by no means is it an exhaustive list. It may seem like an overwhelming number, but it is not! If you read a book every night, you will reach 1,000 books in less than 3 years (365*3 = 1095).
The 1000 books before kindergarten wall at Schimelpfenig library
The 1000 books before kindergarten wall at Schimelpfenig library
Pretend play is a developmental milestone that starts around 18 to 24 months of age. You can aid their imagination by teaching gestures, voice connotations, storytelling.
Story time is also a very good way to enhance concentration and discipline in kids. Initially they may be distracted or squirm, but keep at it.

In an article published in the Washington Post in February 2017, Amy Joyce writes: “One of the most important things parents can do, beyond keeping kids healthy and safe, is to read with them. That means starting when they are newborns and not even able to talk, and continuing well beyond the years that they can read by themselves. Study after study shows that early reading with children helps them learn to speak, interact, bond with parents and read early themselves, and reading with kids who already know how to read helps them feel close to caretakers, understand the world around them and be empathetic citizens of the world.”
It is not necessary to read only in 1 language, in fact various studies prove the advantage of introducing multiple languages early in life.

Gulukul

Gulukul is an American company with Indian roots. They strive to promote Indian culture & values with the Indian diaspora. In fact, they strive to do the same with the Urban Indian kids as well, who unfortunately would rather ape for being more western and modern than embrace their own culture.
Some of their books that we got including a wonderful story on Lord Ganesha and the divine mango, saying Namaskar and Geet’s satellite adventures. These are all diverse board books that help expose certain nuances of Indian culture with pictures and text. Simple things like how we wear Bindis, or how we respect elders by doing Namaskar etc. I’m really glad to have got my hands on these books and Baby V is already in love with “Bappa”, “Kartik” and “Muni” (Narad Muni).

Bookroo subscription boxes

When I came across Bookroo, I was immediately excited. A panel of 12 families attending Stanford University review their books. They rate each book on a 7 point scale and on its re-readability. Books that emerge as clear winners are sent out each month. What a great idea!
They sent us our first box this month and we totally love it. Their recycled and recyclable packaging is bright and super cute.

The recycled and recyclable packaging of the Bookroo boxes
The recycled and recyclable packaging of the Bookroo boxes
The books come individually gift wrapped which is an unique offering. Kids love opening presents! Don’t we all?
Each book individually gift wrapped in the Bookroo book subscription
Each book individually gift wrapped
Their boxes start as low as $16 per month(T&C apply) which is a bumper deal. You get:
  1. Board books (3 books) for ages 0-2.5 years
  2. Picture books (2 hardcover books) for ages ~2.5-6 years
  3. Junior boxes (currently on beta) for ages 7-10 years
The best part is that they are not the popular books that you may already have. They curate hidden gems to offer you a wide range of topics every month. You can be rest assured that the kids will be delighted and won’t get bored too easily.
The October box had these 3 books:
1. Bears are Big
2. Wheels at work
3. Little Hoot
The October book box from Bookroo
The October book box from Bookroo
These board books have colorful illustrations and are fun to read out to your little ones.

Enjoy Reading with your kids

It’s a good idea to seat the baby on your laps and read to them promotes bonding. Remember to point out what you are reading to teach reading orientation (left to right) and show them corresponding pictures so they can slowly start relating things.
Inculcate the habit of seating your baby on your lap and reading to them. This nurtures the love for reading and makes for a lovely bonding experience.
Story time with Grandpa
Bookroo is an inspiring gift idea for a birthday or Christmas too! Also consider sponsoring a package for the underprivileged.

COMMIT TO PROMOTING EARLY LITERACY

If you believe in this program; if you understand the importance of reading to your kids, drop a note and let us know that you pledge to spread the awareness. Pledge to read to your kids as often as possible. Talk about it with your family, friends and acquaintances. Promote early child literacy.

SAY NO TO SCREEN TIME

Read 1,000 books to your baby before Kindergarten. Seen in the picture are the books: Little hoot, Colors and shapes, Inside outside upside down, Dr. Seuss's ABC, Wheels at work, Bears are big

“You can find magic wherever you look.  Sit back and relax all you need is a book!” 

– Dr. Seuss

Read 1,000 books before Kindergarten

Much love,
Dee

Disclaimer: I received this box from Bookroo for a review. My goal is to promote early childhood literacy and I believe a book subscription like Bookroo can help achieve that. 

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21 thoughts on “Read 1,000 books before Kindergarten |love for reading|early literacy”

  2. Yes! I agree with reading to my child I have seen the language development that happens when you read consistently. Currently we do night time reads, but on Sundays I have special story telling sessions for him at home in the morning, wordless books are great for these. I love the idea of this subscription service, takes the researching out of the equation and brings ease to parents.

  5. This article just pinned me in until the end. I just couldn’t stop reading how beautifully you have analyzed 😊 having said that bookroo is an amazing subscription box. They send out age appropriate books which is commendable.

  6. Love the idea of a book subscription box! We are a book living family and would love to explore this option! Thanks for sharing.

  7. very well put. I have seen a fast development in my son in terms of understanding the languages and intents of the books. I started when he was 3 and in a year, I have read many of the books with him. It always makes us enjoy the book and each other’s company as well.

  8. Well I started reading to my boy when he was 8 months and at 4.5 now we have kinda graduated to story telling along with Story Reading. Loved the concept of 1000 stories by the time your kids a toddler.

  13. Thanks for introducing me to the 1,000 books before kindergarten. We are well on our way as we started reading to my daughter when she was a week old.

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