Create a Kid’s Cozy Reading Nook

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Inspire reading, build a fort!

Creating a cozy reading nook for your kids can give your children a space of their own, encourage a love of reading, and provide them with a personalized, comfortable and inviting space to relax.

Why should I create a kid’s cozy reading nook?

Help your child fall in love with reading!
A designated space that is “theirs” can create a positive association with reading time.

Improves reading skills.
A cozy reading nook that is comfortable and quiet can help a child tune out other distractions and noises. This can help your child’s focus and attention which can also lead to better reading fluency and comprehension.

Provides calm.
A reading nook can be a “getaway” that is quiet and calm. This can be an oasis for your child to relax which can be especially helpful when children experience a difficult day, stress, or anxiety.

How do I create a cozy reading nook?

Choose the right location.
Find a place in your home that is quiet and comfortable, that will be good for reading. 

• Closet
• Under stairs
• Corner of their room
• Area in another room

Pick some comfortable furniture.
Your child may want to sit, lay down, or curl up when reading. What kind of furniture can you find to help your child feel comfortable? Make sure it is the right size.

• Swing or basket chair
• Hammock
• Bean bag
• Pillows
• Small armchair

Lighting is essential.
In order to read, the child must be able to have light. The kind of lighting can determine how cozy and comfortable the nook feels.
The child can decorate with “fairy lights” or string lights, but add a lamp where most of the reading will be done.

Add storage.
A reading nook should have reading materials.
Hopefully, your child will have favorites. Include some shelving to store books that your child has acquired.
Maybe include an “in” and “out” basket for borrowed books or books that you want to donate.

Give it personality.
This is so important. Allow your child to help you in the decision making for textures, colors, and decor.
This space should feel like it represents who they are.
You want the reading nook to feel special and inviting to your child.

Can I create a reading nook outside?

Absolutely! 

It is summer time and you want to encourage your child to read, but you also really want them to spend time outdoors-you can mix the two.
Many of the steps are the same, the ideas may just change a little.

Location.
You will still want to choose a quiet and comfortable place for reading. 

• In or under a tree
• Pitch a tent
• Create an area on the patio
• Dedicate a corner of the garden or yard

Seating.
You can choose outdoor or “beach” type furniture to make it fun. You can have a hammock or a lounge chair.
A hammock chair or basket chair is also very fun.

Shade.
This is an element you do not have to think about when creating an indoor reading nook.
Find an area that has shade or where you can create shade.

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Night and Day?
If you want your child to be able to access their nook at anytime, you will need to consider lighting.

Storage.
Think on this. How do you want the books and other reading materials stored?
Do you want your child to have a variety to choose from always in their nook?
Do you want them to bring the reading materials with them each time they want to read?
If you will have favorite books, magazines, comic books, etc in the nook, how will they be stored so weather does not affect them?

Weather.
All of your furniture, lighting, storage, cushions, etc. should be weather resistant. You do not want to create a nook that your child has to constantly take in or out of storage bins. The easier it is to access, the more likely your child will be to use it.

I created this lovely reading nook, how do I encourage my child to use it?

Involve your child.
Allow your child to participate in the design process of the reading nook. Let them help choose the furniture, lights, pillows, colors, and any decor that they like. If your child has a sense of ownership over the space, they are more likely to use it.

Make it comfortable.
Ensure that the reading nook is cozy.
It does not matter how pretty the area is, if it is not comfortable, your child will not want to relax, read, and spend time in it.

Reading materials.
Talk with your child often about what they are reading.
Ask what they like about it. What do they not like?
If you need guidance, talk to your local librarian to find books that have similarities to the “liked” topics.
Keep the nook stocked with favorite books and with a few that your child has not yet read.

Regular reading time.
The end goal is that your child will love this space so much that it will become a “hangout” for them.
It will become the “child cave”, if you will.
Establish a time when everyone in the house is reading, your child can go to their special spot to do theirs. 

Create fun.
Make reading fun and something that your child looks forward to.
Go to the library once a week and choose a new book.
You can have a once a month visit and buy at the thrift store or used book store.
Scour the internet together for “if you enjoyed (name of book your child loved) you will also love” many people have lists on goodreads.com that is designed to help you find a new fabulous read.

Why should I create a reading nook instead of having my child just read on the couch or in their room?

Children love forts!

Creating a reading nook can be just like creating a fort.
Building and playing in a “secret” space that is just their own is one of the number one things that children love to do, whether inside or outside.

• Forts provide a sense of adventure and privacy.
• Building or creating a special space allows your child to exercise their creativity and imagination.
• Your child will feel a sense of ownership and control over their reading nook-fort because they are in charge of creating and maintaining it.
• Forts provide a sense of safety and offer a protected space for your child.

By combining the natural love and curiosity of a “fort-like” experience and encouraging something that your child may not be naturally drawn to, you are making reading more desirable.

Create a cozy reading nook for your child.
“Secret” spaces offer children a fun way to exercise their creativity, develop a sense of control over their lives, and because this is designed for reading, will encourage them to want to read.

‘Do not dare to read this book, for if you take one fateful look, you barter at your life’s expense, and face a deadly consequence.’-Jared Grace in “The Spiderwick Chronicles”