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Read and Be Ready
City of Parramatta Libraries presents 1000 Books Before School, a program designed to prepare children for a love of reading and a lifetime of learning.
Early literacy is one of the most important building blocks for a child’s future success – reading to your child regularly is one of the best ways to expose them to literacy.
About the Program
This free early literacy program is designed for children from birth to 6 years of age, and their parents and carers. The aim is to read 1000 books together before they start school. Reading regularly to your child helps prepare them for a love of reading and a lifetime of learning.
Reading 1000 books is easier than you think:
1 book a day = 1000 books in just 3 years!
3 books a day = 1000 books in a year!
Fun Fact: Originally from the United States, this highly successful program expanded across Victoria, now offered by City of Parramatta Libraries - the first metropolitan library in NSW to offer this program.
What are the Benefits?
This program is designed to benefit children in several ways. Early literacy is one of the most important building blocks for a child’s future success. Research shows that reading with a child from an early age helps them:
- Build extended vocabularies
- Improve reading readiness
- Strengthen cognitive skills
- Be better prepared for school
- Develop a love of language and learning
- Understand themselves and others better
By joining the program your child will benefit in more ways than one - they will receive rewards along the way to celebrate their reading journey!
How to Join
To register your child(ren), they must be a member of City of Parramatta Libraries. This allows your child to take advantage of all the library resources.
- Visit the City of Parramatta Libraries Beanstack website or download the Beanstack app (Google Play or App Store). Search for ‘City of Parramatta Library’.
- Enter parent/guardian details under Adults Information, and the child’s information under Reader’s Information.
- If you have more than one child eligible for this program, you are able to add multiple readers to your account.
Milestones & Rewards
Track your child's reading online via Beanstack or the Beanstack app. Every book counts – including books in other languages, e-books (such as Story Box Library), and those read at home, childcare or library story times. Even re-reading the same book counts towards the 1000-book goal!
Along the way, your child will earn special rewards as they reach certain reading milestones. There are several rewards to collect along the way, which can be collected from any City of Parramatta Libraries branch.
- Upon registration: a customisable 1000 Books Before School library bag. Colour it, personalise it, make it your own, and take more books home in it!
- At 100 books: a sustainable drink bottle
- At 500 books: a lunch cooler bag
- At 1000 books: a certificate and a backpack.
The program finishes once your child reaches the goal of 1000 books, starts school, or turns 6! Join us in nurturing a love of reading and watch your child’s love of reading and vocabulary grow.
