Two-year-old Idris Kenchi reads 1,000 books before Kindergarten

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Two-year-old Idris Kenchi, of Elmont, completed the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge last month. The program, offered nationwide through a nonprofit organization, the 1000 Books Foundation, is aimed at promoting early academic success and bonding between parents and their children. Kenchi received a certificate from the Franklin Square Public Library on Dec. 20 for his achievement.

Kristen Sharkey, Kenchi’s mother, said he’s been drawn to books ever since she began reading to him when he was just two months old. She said she didn’t know what to expect when she first opened a book in front of him, but she was curious to see his reaction. She quickly noticed that Kenchi was listening closely and remained attentive the entire time.

From that point on, she began reading books to him every night.

After the family moved from Manhattan to Elmont when Kenchi was about eight months old, Sharkey said her parents, Rosanne and John Sharkey, began taking care of him more often. They brought him to the library in Franklin Square, which is close to her parents’ house, so they could find more books to read.

That’s when they learned of the 1000 Books Foundation challenge. The program is offered at thousands of libraries nationwide, including Franklin Square and Elmont. The family picked up a log sheet from the library and began tracking the books Kenchi read.

A year and a half after beginning the program, Kenchi had already reached the goal. Kristin said they read a handful of books everyday, which is why he completed the program so quickly. While he started with shorter books at first, Kenchi is now reading longer books.

Even at his young age, Kristin said Kenchi knows letters and can sound them out. He recognizes words and pictures in the books they read together, as well. According to Kristin, he can sit quietly and look at books for a long period of time, which she believes is because he is also visually engaged. In general, she said Kenchi’s language skills are strong.

Kenchi said one of his favorite books right now is about planets, which Kristin explained is a National Geographic children’s book that teaches kids about the solar system. Kenchi said he also loves the “Curious George” books, because George always gets into trouble, much like him. But, he said his favorite book right now is “Pete the Cat,” because it makes him laugh.

Kristin, who used to be a teacher and is now a therapist, said she tries to limit Kenchi’s screen time because she believes hands-on learning is more valuable and effective. Although, she said, this is not always easy, because kids are surrounded by screens these days. “It’s certainly a challenge to raise kids now without heavy use of screens,” she said. “We don’t want all of his learning to be from videos.”

Kristin said that concern is why she and her family will keep encouraging Kenchi to read even more books as he grows up.

For more information about the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge, and to find out which libraries offer it, visit the foundation’s website, 1000BooksBeforeKindergarten.org.