The Carlsbad City Library is offering an easy, fun and free program for young children and their parents to help put kids on an early path to academic success.

• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a nationwide program that encourages parents to instill a love of reading in their little ones by reading to them.
• Children from birth to age 5 are eligible to enroll in the program, which was inspired by an American Academy of Pediatrics study that showed reading regularly with young children stimulates brain development and strengthens parent-child relationships.
• Parents track their child’s progress through Beanstack, a free online tool. That’s also where you sign up for Carlsbad’s program.
• Each child in the program receives a starter paper tracker to help log their progress and a Carlsbad City Library branded book bag while supplies last.
• Paper trackers are optional, but highly encouraged so that children can practice their writing and coloring skills.
• Children are eligible for fun “milestone rewards” when they reach 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 books.
• 1,000 books may sound like a big goal, but it’s easier than you think. You can do it by reading three books to your child each day for a year, or one book a day for three years.
• Also, it’s OK to re-read favorite books – each time counts. You should also count any book read to your child by siblings, grandparents, teachers or in group settings.

More information:

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten webpage
Visit the Kids Desk at the Dove Library or Cole Library or the Bilingual Services Desk at the Carlsbad Learning Center.