St. Mary’s County Library is excited to announce the availability of the 500 by Five early reading program through Beanstack (online or via an app) or with a paper log. The 500 by Five program is designed to encourage children to read 500 books by age five. Reading with children helps to get them ready for school, increase vocabulary and speech skills, improve logical thinking, and encourage a love of learning.
The Beanstack app is easy to use! Parents scan their children’s books or enter the information after they have been read, adding them to the child’s reading log. Parents can come in to any branch of the St. Mary’s County Library or simply sign up online. Detailed instructions are available on our website at stmalib.org/kids/500-by-five.
Children who read 500 books (or have 500 books read to them) can come in to any branch of the St. Mary’s County Library to earn a book to keep, receive a paper crown and certificate and get their picture taken as a 500 by Five reader! For extra encouragement, all children under age five are welcome to come to the desk at any St. Mary’s County Library after reading each 100 books to receive a sticker.
“At the library, we like to say ‘Children become readers on the laps of their parents.’” said Jill Hutchison, Youth Services Coordinator for St. Mary’s County Library. “500 by Five encourages families to make reading together part of their daily routine, because it is one of the best things they can do to prepare for success in Kindergarten and beyond. Sharing books from a young age builds up vocabulary, love of reading, and other important skills, starting long before a child learns to read on their own.”
