1000 Books Before Kindergarten, is a program that began in the United-States and is a program that is run in 19 cities across Canada. Now we can make it 20 because it’s launching in Timmins on Monday January 27th.

“The way the program works is simple… It’s basically reading to your children; documenting the books that you read, even if it’s reading the same book over and over again. Repetitious reading does bring words to children. Once you read and document each milestone, children will be able to get a prize, the program is simple and it’s free to parents.” -Shannon Costello Director of Children Services CDSSAB.

Having to read 1000 books may sound like a lot but Costello says that it is an achievable goal.

Costello, hopes that the program will be able to teach basic communication skills to the children, as studies show that 30 percent of children in Kindergarten are lacking basic literacy skills and that only 52 percent of children have good communication skills. Basic literacy skills are: Handling a book properly and knowing to read left to right not right to left.

Here’s what you can expect on the big day when the Program launches:

10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Ribbon cutting ceremony

Mini-presentation 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Local celebrity readers

Registration station

Activities

Library and EarlyON information stations

Photo booth

Light refreshments will be served

The best part about this program… It’s free!

 

Filed under: Local News