As parents, we have a natural concern for our children’s reading skills. We’d love to have an early reader or a child with a great capacity for reading. Even if your family isn’t into reading, we can recognize the importance of reading in our children’s educational efforts. Here we are at the end of October, heading into colder days with less outdoor play. So it’s a great time to consider ways to spend time looking at books and reading to our kids.
How about setting up a cozy reading corner to make this a fun and special activity for your kids? This can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be. It will be special either way. And this cozy corner could also serve as a wind-down spot for your preschooler. So it could be a place for learning and a place for comfort. Let’s look at ways to encourage a love for reading by making a cozy reading corner this season.
Choose the right spot
This can be as varied as all of our different homes are. So here are a few things to look for.
Location
We want somewhere relatively close to our main living areas so that we can still supervise our little ones. If that doesn’t work, maybe a kid’s bedroom would work. It needs to be an area where it can be quiet and calm when you need it to be. So it wouldn’t be by a TV or in a place where you will be walking back and forth. This will help your child relax and focus.
Wherever it is, make sure that it’s easy for your preschooler to access, and that it is a space that can really be their own.
Lighting
It’s important that we consider the lighting in this effort to encourage a love for reading. We’re looking for a good source of natural light or a warm lamp, or maybe both. It’s good to keep it cozy, but still light while not being too harsh.
Comfort
Of course, it’s important that this cozy reading corner is actually cozy. So how can we make it comfortable for our preschoolers? Maybe we could use pillows or cushions. A blanket would be nice. You could even add a little rug. Really, whatever you picture for your child and for your space will make a lovely reading spot to encourage a love for reading.
Choose books
A cozy reading corner that encourages a love for reading wouldn’t work without books. You could have a standard selection of favorites, or you could change it out with a new library haul frequently. Or you could do both.
Maybe you could have seasonal books. Or you could choose a topic with your child and check out a bunch of books about that. My kids were really into the planets when they were preschoolers, and we often had a big stack of books about the different planets. These books kept them busy for hours.
As you choose books with your child, you can learn the ASL sign for books!
Personalize the Space
Let your preschooler choose colors or hang photos or artwork that they love. This might just be the specific blanket you use, or it could be a cover for a pillow. Again, it doesn’t have to be complex. But do think about how to let your child personalize the space in some way.
Use some sensory features
A few cuddlies or other sensory toys can help your preschooler want to spend time in this space. Plus, these items give them something to do or to hold during times when you read to them.
Make it a habit
Try to have your child use this cozy reading spot daily. It doesn’t matter whether you are reading to them there or they are just looking through books that day.
A special spot like this encourages daily interactions with books. And this can develop a love for books and reading. This perspective about reading can serve your children well as they grow and get into school.
This is just one way to encourage early reading skills. Check out the other reading resources we have over at My Signing Time!