Preschool Reading Corner Ideas

A "book nook" is a special place where children are surrounded by books and can enjoy them quietly and comfortably. You can create this nook in your classroom with minimal time and effort. Here are some preschool reading corner ideas.

Prepare Your Space

You don't need a large space, but an area that isn't highly trafficked. Define the space in some way, perhaps with shelving or a room divider. Just be sure you can see the children at all times. Make the area comfortable, maybe adding a carpet. Provide a combination of pillows, and small beanbag chairs. You may even like to include a child-sized sofa and chairs in this space.

Decorate this area with posters of children's books. They can be purchased from catalogues or pick them up at conferences. Publishers of children's books often honor requests for publicity material on books and authors. If you have a spending allowance, buy a stuffed animal or character that ties in with a children's book.

Storing the Books

I liked to store books in plastic bins to keep them sorted and clean. You could also use sturdy cardboard boxes that you or the children have decorated. Put the bins on low shelves, making them easy to pull out. Or if you don't have a shelving unit, these bins or boxes can be placed on the floor.

Have the books facing forward so children can easily flip through them and see each book cover. Placing books on shelves between bookends do not work well with preschoolers. Children have to pull the books out to see the covers and they end up with books falling over easily and a mess.

Organize the books by subject. Make labels for each bin or box writing the subject first. Glue a photograph or sticker next to the word that identifies the subject. For example, if the books are about colors, you could attach a rainbow sticker or a picture of a bunch of colorful balloons. A zoo sticker could identify the animals books and so on.

Types of Books to Collect

Select books on subjects that will appeal to young children and help convey important information. This includes concept books on the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, and animals. Wordless books and books with minimal text in which the story is told primarily through the illustrations allow children to use their imaginations and make up stories.

Hardcover books are preferable because they are more durable, but they are also more expensive. If you purchase books, give them a longer life by reinforcing their corners and spines with heavy tape.

Acquiring Books and Furnishings

Usually school budgets are limited. To add to your book collection, provide parents with a wish list; then accept donations. Implement a program that encourages parents, caregivers, and community members to donate books or money for books and furnishings. Encourage the people to write a memo inside the cover saying why the book has been donated, to remember the "Smith" family or to celebrate "Brandon's 4th birthday."

A Preschool Reading Corner Idea

Make use of large cardboard cartons in this manner:

An adult can cut the tops and one side out of a large cardboard carton. Invite the children to use markers and crayons to design the sides and back of the box with pictures of their favorite things, books, and children reading books. Place comfy cushions on the bottom and set these boxes in your reading "book nook." As you place several boxes side-by-side or back-to-back these boxes provide individual reading spaces for quiet times and privacy.

Sprinkle your classroom with books and let the children's imaginations soar with wonderful experiences!