By Kelly Youngblood
Reading in early childhood can help your child do better in school and encourage a lifelong love of reading and books.
That’s the message local libraries want to send and the reason they are getting behind a nationwide program called “1000 Books Before Kindergarten.”
Both the Champaign and Urbana libraries are participating in the free, year-round reading incentive program, which is designed for children from birth to 5 years old. Signing up is simple. Parents just need to register for the program and keep track of the books they read.
While 1,000 books may seem like a lot, just reading three books a night could allow your child to reach his or her goal in a year. The idea is complete the program before a child enters kindergarten.
“Parents can register at any time. The deadline for completion is before a child starts kindergarten. We promote it to parents with infants, toddlers and preschoolers,” said Stephanie Edwards of the Champaign Public Library.
While the Champaign Public Library has offered the program since April 2014, the Urbana Free Library launched the early literacy campaign Oct. 1.
In the first week, the UFL has gotten 37 children registered. The CPL has had more than 340 children participate in the program since it began over a year ago.
Every book counts, whether it’s the same book over and over again, or one that your child hears at story time, preschool, or with another family or friend.
For each 100 books read, parents are asked to turn in their reading records. Once you hit the 500 and 1,000 book mark, children will receive a free book.
Families can register at either library at any time. For more information about “1000Books Before Kindergarten” at the UFL, contact Lora Fegley at lfegley@urbanafreelibrary.org. To register at the CPL, contact Stephanie Edwards at sedwards@champaign.org.
Where to Find Free or Cheap Books
If you’re looking for a place to find free or cheap children’s books, you might want to consider one of the following local options.
Orphan’s Treasure Box is an outlet and online used bookstore that gives 100 percent of its net proceeds to vulnerable children. Most of the children’s books at their outlet store are 25 cents.
Little Free Library sites around the Champaign-Urbana area offer local residents a neighborhood book exchange. Visitors are encouraged to “take a book, return a book” anytime.
Consignment stores in the area also offer great deals on used books that are in good condition. Check out our Consignment Guide to learn more.