Are you thinking about setting up a reading nook for kids in your home or classroom?
Reading corners are a fantastic way to encourage kids to read more and spend time exploring books.
With the right environment, a reading nook can help your young reader slip into a world of make-believe and adventure whether they’re reading their favorite paperback or sharpening their reading skills with an app like Lou Adventures.
The good news is creating the perfect reading nook for kids doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.
If you’re not sure where to start, this guide will show you how to create the ultimate reading corner for kids!
Why Do You Need A Reading Corner For Kids?
The benefits of reading are well-documented.
Not only does reading improve literacy skills, but it can also help kids develop empathy, increase their attention span, and reduce stress. Reading also allows kids to explore new worlds and learn about different subjects, cultures, and viewpoints.
Unfortunately, making children sit down to read can be daunting. Newsflash, your child’s beloved gadget, is not the only thing at fault here. Often, children get bored and need attractive spaces to keep themselves engaged.
A reading corner serves this purpose quite well because it stirs curiosity among children. An especially designed reading corner will intrigue them to learn more about the activity linked to this space.
10 Tips for Creating The Ultimate Reading Corner For Kids
1. Take Your Child’s Needs Into Account
If you’re a reader, you’d know it takes a lot of focus. Be wary if your child has concentration issues or special needs. Don’t forget to equip the reading corner accordingly. Even the best of children have difficulty reading for long durations. To increase comprehension, you can look into external help from apps and guides.
Our recommendation is Lou Adventures. Lou Adventures will be your best companion if you want your child to improve his/her reading comprehension. It is especially integrated with speech recognition technology and an adventure game to make reading an enjoyable experience.
People often believe that screens and reading are two enemies. On the contrary, both can help in brain strengthening if used wisely.
Check out our Lou Adventures review for a closer look at the app.
Apart from learning apps, you can also look into essential oil diffusers and salt lamps. These help in calming the child, which ultimately increases focus.
2. Select The Best Spot in Your House
Cozy corners are always hard to find and, often, are already inhabited. To ensure that your child spends a good chunk of his day reading, choose the best part of your house.! It can be near a window sill, a nook beside the balcony, or just a designated corner in their own room.
The one thing which you need to make sure of is an ample amount of natural lighting. Yes, you can light the space up with electricity, but readers around the world like to read in naturally lit places. Don’t stress about it, though. As long as the space’s vibe is inviting, a good book is all you need for your child to start reading!
3. Make It Comfortable
Don’t hesitate to throw in a couple of cushions and pillows! Remember, reading has no etiquette involved. As long as your child is immersed in the pages, you’re succeeding. If you’re living in a cold country, carpet the corner and make it warm enough. For summer-prone regions, breezy corners are your best option.
Don’t forget to consult the primary user, though, aka your child. Ask them questions to understand where their comfort lies. Avoid using hard furniture and study desks. Informal seating makes reading a fun activity as opposed to a chore. Add your child’s favorite rocking chair or bean bag, and watch them spend hours in their reading corner!
If reading is a communal activity in your house, you can also look into getting roomy couches and other floor arrangements. This will help your child have an engaging time without losing comfort!
4. Less Noise And Distractions
It doesn’t take a nanosecond for a child to get distracted. Since reading requires attention, the space needs to be free from disturbances.
So, you cannot have a reading space beside your kitchen and expect the child not to get fascinated by your whisks and skewers. If the corner is near a busy space, put the activities on hold during your child’s reading hours.
Just like a library has a no-noise policy, your child also needs a quiet place to read. You can merge your workspace with the reading corner so both of you can enjoy silence. In this way, your child will understand the dynamics of serious activities. You can also use this time to bond with your child.
5. Give It Character And Identity
Your child’s reading corner needs to represent them. Don’t think of it as an architectural addition to your house. Include all the little details which reflect your child’s personality. If he loves the color yellow, make the color palette 80% yellow. For Marvel fans, throw in a few artifacts. If she loves Barbie, decorate the space with her favorite dolls. Online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay are full of options when it comes to collectibles. This stirs interest in your child and gives them ownership of the space.
Keep revamping the corner, so your child’s current interests are always mirrored in his reading corner. You can also keep activity books in the same space to make the experience fun and engaging. Ask other family members not to intrude in the space unless they have the child’s permission. Help your child customize the area according to his likes and dislikes. Your job here is to make it more about them than just reading!
6. Add Decorative Elements
The best way of making a space inviting is by adding good lighting. Head over to your local store and buy different kinds of fairy lights. Wrap it around the reading corner so it becomes your child’s den. You can also turn off the rest of the lights in the room, so the reading corner is highlighted.
Another way of sparking up the space is by adding different kinds of materials. The possibilities here are endless because of the fun nature of the activity. Frame a couple of motivational quotes and add a few scented candles. You can even prop a makeshift tent or build a wooden kiosk!
7. Make It A Family Activity
If you ask your child to go to the reading corner every day at 6 pm, chances are you won’t be very successful. Children pick on the habits they see. Make your child observe you’re as much into reading as you want him to be. As a result, his response will be more enthusiastic. Get the entire family involved in this activity so your child doesn’t feel isolated.
Reading together also helps in making life-long bonds. You can also invite your child’s friends for a group reading party. This will not only normalize the activity but also help your child socialize. Share your reading experiences with the children and tell them your favorites! Read your childhood book to your child and watch their face light up!
8. Designate A Specific Time
Craft a timetable to ensure the reading corner is used to its fullest. Yes, there’s no time set to read, but you can always make an hour mandatory for the activity. This helps quickly integrate the habit and helps the child maintain a routine.
There’s no limitation on what time is the best. It entirely depends on your child’s routine. If he has a hectic routine, make sure you read a couple of pages together in the early half of the day. If your child is well-rested and active during nighttime, read before going to bed. The catch is identifying when your child is most likely to pay attention.
9. Kinds Of Books And Storage
Reading corners are not something you’re likely to outgrow. Thus, your book selection needs to be vast. Keep adding to the collection and watch out for the genre your kid tends to like. Be sure to keep a variety of book types as well. From coloring books to activity books and fiction, there should be an option ready for every mood!
Since you’re initially planning a reading corner for a child, you need to design storage appropriately. If you’re using a conventional bookshelf, its height needs to align with the child’s reach. Otherwise, children can easily lose interest because of inaccessibility. Remember to keep all the titles facing outward so that the choice becomes easy. You can get a custom-made shelf or even a DIY tutorial using cartons.
10. Restrict Views
For most focus, your child needs to immerse in the book without any distractions. If the reading corner is in a communal room, consider blocking the view using fabric. This will help your child dedicate his full attention to the book.
Lots of children aren’t comfortable with the idea of pursuing their hobbies in front of other people. Shy and introverted children often refuse to engage in the activity altogether. Restricting external views helps in having more private time.
Mesh cloths, perforated screens, and beady curtains can all help you achieve this. Don’t make it too permanent, though, because you wouldn’t want to cultivate a jail-like environment! Happy reading!
A Final Word on Creating a Reading Nook for Kids
Getting your kids to love reading doesn’t have to be a challenge.
By following these simple tips, you can create the perfect reading nook that will make your kids want to curl up with a good book.
And, not only will they love reading in their new space, but they’ll also be developing important literacy skills.
Don’t forget, there are lots of ways your kids can become better readers beyond just reading physical books. With a reading app like Lou Adventures that makes reading a fun, interactive game, your kids will want to read more than ever before!
So, what are you waiting for? Create a reading nook for your kids today and watch their love of reading blossom.