Creating a Reading Center…

February 2, 2010

Just as I realized my adorables weren’t reading throughout the day, it also occurred to me that their books were put away up in their room, not handy where they would reach for them.

I think I’ve already acknowledged that I’m slow sometimes…

So I created a Reading Center and like magic, the adorables are picking out books and reading throughout the day. It’s really that easy.

Incidentally, they LOVE that Leapster Tag Jr. sitting there that was a present from Santa. Love, love, love it.

Here are some ideas to get you going…

1) Pick an accessible (read eye-level) spot. Mine is housed in the kitchen island where my cookbooks used to live. A basket amidst their toys would also work well.

2) Choose a wide variety of books that entice your adorables. The more appetizing the book, the more likely they will reach for it.

3) Switch out the books periodically. I’m horrible at this, and will complete this task directly after I write this.

4) Get your adorables to help create their Reading Center. I’m all for sharing the labor and getting them involved. I think this has the same results as “if you have them cook it, they will eat it” train-of-thought.

2 more ideas from other moms:

Another kitchen island approach…

This bookcase rotates, and I’m trying not to be impressed by the hydrangeas sitting atop, but it’s gorgeous.

Where do you keep your books? How do you get your adorables to read throughout the day?

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Category: Activities, Books
Tags: Reading Center |

5 Comments »

RLR
on February 2, 2010 9:48 am
Our books are – fortunately or unfortunately – everywhere! Bookcase in the toyroom, shelves in each child’s bedroom, and some downstairs, too. We are getting ready to pare down our book collection, and I’m planning to make a reading corner in each child’s room for Valentine’s Day (shh!). I’m hopeful that they will enjoy some quiet time each day when they have a fun, cozy spot for reading!
Heidi Farmer
on February 2, 2010 9:51 am
Great idea!!
Whitney Trujillo
on February 2, 2010 11:27 am
I have the same dilemma of all the books being up in my guy’s room. I need something like this on the main floor.
Julie
on February 3, 2010 7:29 am
Heidi – one way that I switch out books is to have a “seasonal basket” in the living room. In there goes the Christmas books (that I store with my holiday decorations, so I pull them all out and put tham away at the same time). Then I have a misc. holiday box that I grab from throughout the year….books about MLK for January, presidents and valentine books for February, etc.
Truthfully many of the books are below my son’s reading level (now that he is 9yo), board books etc. but it is fun to keep them around to flip through every so often, and great for when we have families over with young ones.
Katie Fisher
on February 4, 2010 8:00 pm
Great idea Heidi. I do what I did in my classroom. I put them in baskets around the house. Then my kids just flip through them when playing. I do find it good to keep them near the toys because then then choose them right along with toys during the day.