Years of research and numerous studies have shown a child’s brain develops rapidly from birth to age five, including language skills.

According to Becoming a Nation of Readers: The Report of the Commission on Reading, “The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.”  

Reading aloud offers key ingredients for school readiness, including:

• building early literacy skills
• strengthening vocabulary
• developing a child’s imagination and curiosity

That’s why Hillsboro’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is so important. 

“By setting a fun, achievable goal of reading 1,000 books before kindergarten, the program motivates parents and caregivers to make reading a regular and joyful part of their routine,” said Children’s Librarian Mary Davis, who leads reading programs at Brookwood Library. 

“Along the way, children gain confidence, form positive associations with books, and create lasting memories with the adults who read to them. It’s a simple, yet powerful way to give young learners a strong start.”

Start Reading Now

Read any book to your newborn, infant, or toddler child. The goal is to read 1,000 books to them by the time they enter kindergarten. It may sound like a daunting task, but it isn’t. 

If you read a book to your child daily, you reach 365 books for a year, 730 books in two years, and 1,095 in three years. You can exceed the goal by reading three books a day for a year.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Stop by a Hillsboro Public Library to pick up a reading log 
2. Keep track of the books you read
3. Pick up your child’s completion certificate and a free book at Hillsboro Public Library 

Does your child like to hear their favorite book over and over? No problem. It’s fine to repeat books. Every time you read Click, Clack, Moo, it counts!