Create a Space for reading - for Little People and for Yourself

Those of you who know the special delight of reading to a small child understand the magic of time shared, leaning forward to drink in the pictures, the cadence of your voice as you read aloud, and the piped request:”read it again!”

This is the kind of habit you want to encourage. One way is having books available, the other is to create a space for reading that is comfortable and welcoming. The elements needed for a reading space are very simple and most of them are already in your home.

A quiet corner, perhaps defined by a rug or comforter, or enclosed by a low (2-3 shelf) book case can make a cozy space for the magic carpet rides in books.  This corner can be in their bedroom, the family or living room, or near where you will be, but not underfoot.

Have something comfortable for your reader to sit or lay on. Younger children enjoy playing on the floor, so a floor-based reading area is a natural: with a rug, blanket, pillow or bean bag chair. As children get older they may gravitate to reading on their own bed or a comfortable chair.

When you read to or with your children, you may not choose to make it all the way down to the floor. Use a comfortable upholstered chair or rocker, a chair-and-a-half (also called a “storybook chair”), a love seat or sofa depending on the number gathered together and what seating you have available.

Be sure to have a good lamp, with a translucent shade and a warm white light bulb. This will create a pool of light that makes reading comfortable and draws everyone together. If children are reading on the floor a table lamp with a weighted base works or a clip light on a nearby bookshelf. If you are reading in a chair, a nearby table lamp or floor lamp works well. Make sure the lamp is close enough and tall enough so it casts a circle of light on you and your book, rather than the arm of your chair.

If reading is part of bedtime for your child, keep the rest of the room dark or dim to support an easy transition to sleep.

Extras include a soft throw or small comforter. And perhaps a designated canvas bag or backpack for library books. With practice, this saves hunting all over the house for those books when you make that return trip to the library. This helps your child learn order while instilling a sense of pride in their library selections.

What is good for the children in our lives is good for us too. Create a comfortable reading space for yourself: a quiet corner, a comfortable chair or a sofa for stretching out, good lighting nearby (and I don’t count overhead lighting as good lighting). If you do extended reading then your full spectrum reading lamp is perfect here. You can have a small table next to your chair for a cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa, or a glass of wine or iced tea.

Curl up and enjoy a great book. Reading is a great habit for everyone, and calorie free.

A great book for reading aloud or to enjoy on your own is Kate Dicamillo’s The Tale of Despereaux: Being a Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread. This Newberry Award winner is beautifully written and the plot keeps you guessing.