In the last blog, I shared tips to inculcate reading habits into kids from early childhood. Developing this hobby would also require a little more preparation from the parents.
That means you need to come up with an appropriate setting for reading sessions. Here are a few most important aspects that need considering while setting up a reading corner for kids at home.
Select a reading corner at home
Start by selecting a corner of the house that has natural light and less outside noise. It has to be a space where you and your child can spend time peacefully and read without getting disturbed.
I would advise picking 2-3 spots in your home suitable for setting up a reading corner. You may wish to change the setting after a few months or a year down the road. Your selection of furniture and other accessories should suit all these spaces, the current and the future one, that you have identified.
Make the place cozy
Try and make the place cozy and comfortable. Put a soft rug on the floor. Arrange a comfortable chair for your kid and yourself too. Remember your child will take cues from you. In the last blog, I said to fix a book reading schedule for yourself. Now I am telling you to do it in this designated space.
Make sure there is natural light in the day, and at night you have sufficient light for reading.
Decorate The Reading Space
It is important to do some decoration of the reading space to make it more interesting. It will feel welcoming and enticing. Keep 2-3 frames on the wall of your reading corner – try changing it every 15-20 days to add an element of surprise for little one once in a while. You can put animal picture quotes or a nature scene, or any colorful artwork that your child likes. It will add novelty to the reading space.
A bookshelf that suits your child
Keep a bookshelf in a reading space that can display at least 6-8 books frontways.
Your child would be drawn to books that have good picture cover. So having the right display is important. Do not put all the books you have on the shelf. Just keep a few that the child will read in the next 10-15 days, and then you can do a book rotation.
Make sure that you also have 2-3 of your books on the shelf, and you come to the reading space along with your child, pick a book from the shelf and start reading it. Your little one will follow for sure. 🙂
As for the bookshelf, you need not buy or get made from a carpenter. You can do DIYs from cardboard boxes that come with Amazon Walmart or Flipkart deliveries. These are sturdy enough to hold few books. For more ideas on DIY bookshelves visit the link.
Follow Book Rotation
In the beginning, do not keep all your child’s books on the shelf. Start with 6-8 books, and every 15-20 days replace the books with new ones. This rotation of books will retain your child’s curiosity level and enthusiasm towards reading. Also giving all the books at the same time generates an intimidating effect, so it backfires for some kids.
Handy Art & Craft Supply
Keep some art and craft supplies in the reading space like drawing paper, crayons, craft papers, etc. Sometimes a child wants to draw the character or do some activity mentioned in the book. This ease of access will allow your child to explore that too.
When your art supplies are in some other place then your child will have to leave the reading space and may get distracted with other things that catch his/her attention on the way.
Also, try adding some green elements to space by putting a house plant or fresh flower arrangement.
Things to avoid
- Do not put all the books your child has on the shelf. Try to select 6-8 books of different kinds from your collection and display those.
- Avoid putting toys in the reading space, toys are big distractions. A soft toy to cuddle while reading is fine but not all toys.
- Never force your choice onto the child, let him/ her pick the book from the shelf.
- If you feel a child is not liking the set of books on display, please replace those with new ones. Initially, the idea is to generate interest in reading books.
I am hoping the tips will help you create a nice cozy reading section in your home. Do share how it worked for you, would love to hear some views from you all.
Till we meet again.. Happy reading! Happy Learning!
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