How can you create a good Reading Environment for Children to learn and enjoy reading at home?

Question

Im interseted in knowing about how to create good places for children to read and ways to encurage reading at home are there certain enviroments. I dont want to make reading a rule i want them to be intrested on their own. How have you done it and how would you have done it in a perfect senierio.

Answer 1

Both my boys(8 and 4) love to read and my just turned four year old is very eager to learn how to read on his own. This is harder to do with boys apparently than girls but both mine have a wonderful love and appreciation of books. I keep books on every floor of my house where my children can see them/read them. I make sure they see me enjoy reading. Use the library, make it special to go there. Pick books of interest (if I could tell you how many books on construction we have...) as well as other books. It is part of our daily night time routine and has been since my children were babies. When we go out and they want something I may deny it but I will almost always allow a book. This worked for me, I hope it helps you! Good luck!

Answer 2

Make a really pleasant place in the house to read. Make sure it is very well lit and very comfy. Maybe you can get beanbag chairs if your kids are at the right age for them. You also could put a bookshelf right near the chair(s) so that they don't have to get up to get a new book. Get a lot of high interest books for your children so that there will always be something they want to read next. You can also put things such as magazines and comic books out if your children like them. Anything that involves reading that would be fun for your children would be good.

Answer 3

I'm not a parent (I'm a mom-to-be) but I am a teacher and I can give you some ideas I use in my classroom and some ideas I've told to my student's parents.

I try to make a fun and quiet place for the children to read. You can make a fun reading corner that is just made for reading. It could be a tent, I've used the IKEA leaves (they are huge leaves that you attach the wall,) a hammock, anything that the child loves. They love my bumblebee tent and also the Clifford house I made out of refridgerator cardboard boxes. At home I would offer something to them that they only get to use during reading time, such as some goggle straw glasses (those fake glasses that you can wear and put the other end of the straw in a drink) or something fun like that.

Those are just some fun ideas, but look to what your child loves. If they love race cars, make a race car out of a box, and fill the box full of race car books, etc. Give them stuffed animals to read to. Making reading fun and exciting will help your child develop a love of reading that will carry on throughout their life. It sounds like you are doing a great job in your initiative to make a fun reading environment. :)

Answer 4

I have been reading to my children almost every night since they were babies now they are 8 and 11 and i still enjoy reading to them and i think they also like the way i read with a very narrative voice. Find them fun books that they can be interested in and laugh to my daughter enjoys Junie B. Jones and Amelia Bedelia we have been reading those since kindergarten she enjoys them alot and can laugh at them too it keeps her interested. My son has a thing about dragon stories but we have also read a great book Tucket's Travels by Gary Paulson a great adventure book. Try different books out and you'll notice what catches your child's imagination I usually check out church fairs because you can pick out a bunch of old books for a quarter or fifty cents grab a few books and hope they will like them and if they don't then you haven't wasted a bunch of money.Good places to read is anywhere where their isn't alot of distraction where they feel most comfortable in the house my 2 children usually relax in their rooms curl up with a blanket. You could also be reading alot yourself if you enjoy reading they may follow and enjoy reading themselves. Good Luck :)

Answer 5

My four 1/2 year old loves to be read to, and also to "read" on his own (discusses what happens in stories based on memory or pictures). The best thing to develop this is not only an early intro to the love of books, but also a daily routine of reading at night before bed. We also read other times after I get off work, and visit the library atleast once a week. It is important to keep many books around, of a variety, and just share your own love of reading and willingness to read. Anywhere is good, we like the couch and also to sit in bed before bedtime.

Answer 6

Kids learn by watching you, so if you curl up with a book rather then turn the TV on they want to do the same. We read every night before bedtime, and my son loves it. It takes time for them to get it though, so be patient. At first they might run off when you are trying to read, or try to flip the pages ahead before you are done. Just go with the flow and they will get it. My little guy now lies down next to me with his head on a pillow and listens very intently and he is only 2 year and 1 month.

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Answer 7

My parents used to put a limit on TV time, which most children find preferable to reading. We were allowed to have 2 shows when we got home from school and one show after dinner and chores were done. They encouraged us to read by taking us to places like Chapters and picking out books that interested us. My brother learned to read from all the books on cars that he had. We were allowed to keep our own books in our room and if you wanted to see someone else's book, you had to ask first. Taught respect abd courtesy at the same time.

Answer 8

I had a VERY hard time getting my oldest interested in reading. I tried not to make it a requirement like you, but other things just didn't work.
At the end of his first grade year, he was barely reading at first grade level. I had to make a rule that he had to be involved in a book in some way, at least 20 minutes everyday. In the beginning, it was hard. It was obvious he didn't like the idea. I would see him slouching on the couch, not really paying attention to the book.
Then came the next rule, of having to sit at the table because of his posture and focusing hurdles. A lot of times, he would read while I was cooking dinner anyway, so it gave me a chance to watch over him more.
He is now in second grade, and started out in Sept reading at beginning 1st grade level. As of this week, he is reading at mid 3rd grade level.
After setting up a routine, I made him read out loud to me. I also spend 30 minutes a night, reading out of a chapter book that is too advanced for him to read himself. He loves it!
I don't think it is as important about where to read, as it is to have them practice. I do think the TV and all other distractions should be stopped during this time. I learned the hard way that me being involved was really all that needed to be done. Your kids look up to you. If they see you excited about something, it sparks their curiosity.
My son is so used to the rules now, and reads without a fight. Its so exciting to see your child advance in these types of situations!
Best of Luck!

Answer 9

Somewhere quiet, warm and comfortable would be a good start with plenty of books. Let them see you reading on a regular basis at certain times of the day. Read to them at bedtime. Get them to read to you. Get the older ones to read to the younger ones. Discuss what they have read.

Answer 10

Create a reading area with a shot table in a quiet room equipped with favorite books and a blanket.