5 Bookshelf Essentials
A SHELF OF BOOKS IS A NEVERENDING LAND OF ADVENTURES, ENLIGHTENMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES. EACH BOOK CAN DELIVER MINUTES OR HOURS OF INSPIRATION, KNOWLEDGE AND ENHANCED IMAGINATION.
This simple build unfolds to hold treasured titles. Make sure your child’s reading nook experience is complete with these 5 essential tips.
5 Essential Tips
Incorporate these tips into your child’s use of their bookshelf to enhance their experience.
Location
A cozy reading nook is something appreciated by young and old alike. Help your children look for “their” nook location before building and setting up the bookshelf. Allow your children to orchestrate the plan – do they want a window for daylight? Do they want to be near an outlet to add a lamp? Do they want a cushion or chair or a sheet and turn it into a fort?
Organization
Discuss how books are organized in a library and share how you organize your own books. Ask your child how he or she would like to organize the books – perhaps it’s by color, size, title, author, genre or something completely different. Let the child take the lead.
Scheduling
Plan reading time into your child’s daily routine and allow the reading nook to be his or her special space. It can simply be a place to store books or a place to flop down and read.
Interpretation
Ask your child to share what he or she is reading. Let your child talk about it during carpool or at dinner time -- or ask your child to draw or write the storyline. Allow the child to build onto that storyline with cartoons, pretend play or a theater show.
Gifting
All bookshelves contain favorite titles and less favorite ones. When a story doesn’t resonate with your child, gift it to the community. There are many book drives, neighborhood free libraries, and other donation options. What doesn’t resonate with your child might be a special golden nugget for another child.