As educators, we know the importance of student-selected text. We also know the importance of setting up a reader-friendly environment (ie, organized books, cozy reading nooks, time to read, etc). So I’m not sure why it took me so long to apply these principles to my kids own reading spaces. Oh, we had lots of organized, accessible books throughout the house, but I mean the most important self-selected reading environment: the bedside!
Over the last several months, we have since rectified the problem. It hasn’t taken much: a flashlight here, a ledge shelf there, but OH, have the results been extraordinary. It resulted in late-night giggles, stories shared with the baby across the room, and altogether, growth in my kids’ sense of identity as readers. Here are some of their comments about their bedside reading spaces.
7 year-old’s bedside interview:
What’s your favorite part about your bedside reading space?
“I love that I get to turn on my lamp when I want to start reading. I also love that I get to have some pictures that remind me of books and fiction.”
What are your favorite kinds of books to have next to your bed?
“Chapter books because they always have a surprise for you in each chapter. I also like comics because they are funny and give me good dreams. I also like mystery books because they have big surprises at the end.”
How is bedtime different now than it was before setting up your bedside reading space?
“There was no mystery or comics or chapter books to give me good dreams.”
3 year-old’s bedside interview:
What’s your favorite part about your bedside reading space?
“To read under my covers.”
What are your favorite kinds of books to have next to your bed?
“Star Wars.”
How is bedtime different now than it was before setting up your bedside reading space?
“Now I get to read with my lamp on.”
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featured image: DeathToTheStockPhoto