The Rotary Club of Melfort is proud to sponsor a new initiative called 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program at the Melfort Public Library.
“1000 Books Before Kindergarten” is an established non-profit program throughout the U.S., Alberta, and Ontario. Melfort is the first library in Saskatchewan to offer this program! The program encourages parents to read aloud to their children. By reading just one book a night, families can reach the 1000 book goal in 3 years. By doing so, they instil essential literacy skills to their children.
 
Research shows that the most reliable predictor of school success is being read to during early childhood. Reading together from an early age can build vocabulary and prepare children to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed.
 
Most importantly, sharing books with children promotes a lifelong love of books and reading.
 
The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is available to families with children between 0 - 5 years, up until they start kindergarten. Each child enrolling will be given a book bag and a bookmark. The Rotary Club of Melfort is partnering with the Melfort Public Library to provide this program.
 
The child in the accompanying photo is the very first registrant in the 1000 Books program.  He was excited to get his book bag! Thirty children have registered in the first three days, so the project is off to a great start.