Day 10: Creating the Perfect Reading Nook

Welcome to Day 10 of our Home Educating series!

Today, we’re focusing on how to create an inviting and effective reading nook for your children. A cozy and well-designed reading nook can inspire a love for reading and provide a quiet space for your children to immerse themselves in books.

 From creating a comfortable environment to selecting a variety of books and establishing a regular reading schedule, let's explore how to set up a perfect reading nook.

Comfort

Comfort is key to creating a space where your children will want to spend time reading. Here are some tips to ensure your reading nook is as inviting and cozy as possible:

•  Pillows and Cushions: Use plenty of soft pillows and cushions to create a comfortable seating area. Bean bags, floor cushions, and soft chairs can also add to the coziness.
•  Good Lighting: Ensure the reading nook is well-lit. Natural light is ideal, but you can also use lamps or fairy lights to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Adjustable reading lights can help prevent eye strain. 
• Quiet Atmosphere: Choose a location that is relatively quiet and free from distractions. This will help your children focus on their reading. If space allows, consider using a corner of a room or a small, secluded area.

Book Variety

Providing a diverse selection of books is essential to cater to your children's interests and reading levels. Here are some ideas for curating a varied and engaging book collection:

•  Different Genres: Include a wide range of genres such as fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery, science fiction, and historical fiction. This variety will help keep your children engaged and expose them to different types of storytelling.
•  Various Authors: Introduce books by different authors to give your children a taste of various writing styles and perspectives. This can also help them discover new favourite authors.
•  Levels of Difficulty: Ensure that your reading nook has books at various reading levels. This will allow your children to progress at their own pace and choose books that challenge them appropriately.
•  Picture Books and Graphic Novels: Don't forget to include picture books and graphic novels (my son’s favourite!). These can be particularly appealing to younger readers and those who enjoy visual storytelling.

Regular Schedule

Establishing a regular reading schedule can help make reading a consistent and enjoyable part of your children’s daily routine.

When I was small I read before bed without fail! I need to instil this in my son, who enjoys reading with me. However, he wouldn’t naturally go for a book without direction, so this reinforcement of a reading nook is important as reading has so many benefits!

Here are some strategies to incorporate regular reading time:

•  Set Reading Time: Designate a specific time each day for reading. This could be after lunch, before bedtime, or any other time that fits well into your family’s schedule. Consistency is key to building a habit.
•  Encourage Sharing Stories: Encourage your children to share stories with the family. This could be through reading aloud, discussing the books they are reading, or even acting out scenes from their favourite books. I share my books with my son, and we are reading The Master Key System together, which is my book.
•  Reading Challenges and Rewards: Create reading challenges and offer rewards for reaching milestones. For example, you could set goals for the number of books read or minutes spent reading each week and offer small rewards for achieving these goals. 

Resources and Tools

To help you create a wonderful reading nook and foster a love for reading, here are some resources and tools:

• Book Depository: Offers a wide range of books with free delivery worldwide, making it easy to expand your collection.
• Audible: Provides a vast selection of audiobooks. Listening to stories can be a great addition to reading time, especially for younger children.
• Goodreads: A platform to discover new books, read reviews, and track your reading progress.
•  Audio Books in the Car:  Playing audio books in the car make for a great mobile university. I act like it’s for my benefit whilst subliminally it’s for him too, and I love when we end up discussing what has been playing or when he chimes in, in agreement or I hear him discussing a learning with his friends when playing on the PlayStation as he ends up asking them questions or teaching them new things indirectly.
•  Scholastic: Offers a variety of children’s books and educational resources, which we also use.

Tips for a Successful Reading Nook

To ensure your reading nook is a place where your children love to spend time, consider these additional tips:

•  Personalise the Space: Let your children add their personal touches to the reading nook. This could include their favourite blankets, stuffed animals, or artwork.
•  Rotate Books: Regularly rotate the books available in the reading nook to keep things fresh and exciting. Introduce seasonal books or new series to keep your children’s interest piqued.
•  Model Reading: Set an example by reading yourself. Children are more likely to develop a love for reading if they see their parents and siblings enjoying books. This is important.

Share Your Reading Nook Ideas

We’d love to see your reading nooks! Share your photos, tips, and book recommendations on our Facebook page or tag us on Instagram.

Your ideas can inspire and support other home educating families in creating their own cozy reading spaces.

What’s Next?

Join us tomorrow as we continue exploring practical subject-specific tips, focusing on the exciting world of social studies!

Until then, happy home educating and enjoy creating and spending time in your reading nook!

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Let’s make this home education journey an incredible experience for you and your family!

To your joy! 

Tracey 📖