Back-to-School: Creating a Kid’s Reading Corner

Kids who develop strong reading skills in the early grades are more likely to be better learners and achieve success throughout their school years and beyond. So what can we do as parents to foster a love of reading in our children? Why not set aside space near your child’s homework area to create a special kid’s reading corner just for him?

Create a Quiet Reading Corner for Your Child

Taking the time to create a cozy reading nook for your child will communicate to him that you believe reading is an important activity. Having his own quiet, comfortable place to enjoy a good book just may encourage your child to read more often! Consider these suggestions for setting up a cozy reading nook just for your little reader.

A Chair That Fits

The chair will serve as the foundation for your child’s reading space. Just like Goldilocks, your child may need to try some chairs on for size. The important thing when shopping for your child’s reading chair is to start with a retailer that specializes in children’s furniture or has a kid’s furniture line. A chair that is scaled for a child will feel more cozy to your little person than an adult-sized chair. Choose a chair that is firm enough to provide some support with enough padding to make it comfortable. A child-sized club chair is ideal, but prepare yourself for sticker shock; a good quality, pint-sized chair can cost as much as an adult chair. But consider this…most child-sized, upholstered chairs are meant to seat a child from age 5 through 12. So if you buy their special chair when they first start school, they’ll get more use from it than almost any other purchase you’ll make for them (and she can pass it on to a younger sibling when she’s ready to “graduate” to an adult-sized chair). If your city or town has a kids consignment shop, start there. You may find a clean, good quality chair for half of what you would pay for a new one. For older kids, a properly-scaled adult chair will do the job. Again, try a consignment furniture store, thrift shop or garage sale for a good-quality club chair. If the upholstery is shabby, have it recovered in a classic fabric (involve your child in the selection process). The reading chair that goes in their room now can go off to college later (and maybe to the first home away from home). The point is to find a great chair that your child loves; after all, if your child enjoys curling up in her special chair to read, isn’t that worth the investment?

This classic, wood-frame Join the Club Chair has solid hardwood feet and several fabric options for the upholstery. Buy it from the Land of Nod for $349.

For a soft-side chair that’s a bit easier on the wallet, check out the Oversized Anywhere Chair; the chair insert ($80) and the slipcover ($49) are sold separately. The cotton slipcover features a back pocket for stashing books or stuff and a handle on the top for portability. Moms will like that it can be zipped off and thrown in the wash. Kids will like that you can customize it with their name (for another $6). Buy it in denim, sky blue, grass green, red, hot pink and light pink at Pottery Barn Kids.

The Right Light

While your child sits down in his comfortable reading chair to enjoy a book, he’ll definitely need proper lighting for his young eyes to read by. The best place to position a light for reading is just over the shoulder at a height where the light from the fixture can illuminate the book without glaring into the eyes. A straight floor lamp may be too tall to achieve the correct lighting for a child. But a floor lamp with an adjustable arm can be a good investment since it will grow with your child. On this classic, brushed-chrome, pharmacy-style lamp from Lamps Plus both the arm and the shade are adjustable to shine light at just the right height and angle (available for $205). Avoid halogen lighting in a child’s room; the bulb generates enough heat to burn if touched.

A Book Nook

Does your child have a place to store books in the room? For beginning readers, hang a rack-style shelf that stores books with the covers facing out; your child will be able to see all his reading options, and the colorfully illustrated covers will entice him to look within. Another advantage of a wall-mounted rack is they make it easy for little hands to access the books they want and then put them away neatly when they’re done reading. This Catalina magazine rack is available through Pottery Barn Kids for $89. For older children, a small, traditional bookcase unit will be plenty large enough to hold their favorites. Do you and the kids frequent the local library? Maybe a basket, bin or magazine rack next to the chair would keep your child’s current selections together until the next visit.

On the Side

How about a small end table placed next to the reading chair to round out your child’s reading corner? This fun Slick Cube occasional table from Target ($99.99), made from lightweight plastic, is perfect for holding your child’s glass of water while she’s reading (no rings to worry about!).

With all the elements in place, the reading corner may become one of your child’s favorite places in your home. So the next time your child disappears for awhile, don’t be surprised if you find him kicked back in his comfy chair…worlds away…deeply engrossed in a good book.

For more suggestions on getting your family plugged in for back-to-school, read the Back-to-School Checklist for Parents, Organize Your Household for Back-to-School:Communications Central, Back-to-School: Organizing the Entry or Hall, and Back-to-School: Setting Up a Homework Area.

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