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Reading Corners

I'm sure if you've been on Pintrest any time in the past...forever, you've seen beautiful reading corners set up with blankets and pillows, and canopies. Sometimes, there are even tents or special lamps. There's usually a place to store books so that kids can easily grab one and comfortably sit down and read.

A quick search and you'll find a million different ways to put together your own special corner for your kids to have a magazine cover reading spot.

I look at these and think of how beautiful they are. And then I think about how little my girls would use it for actual reading. I am 1000000% sure they would end up turning it into a castle. Or a cave. Or some fairy land where they have to defeat bad guys to save the world from total devastation. I'm sure these kinds of reading corners work well in some homes. I'm sure they work fabulously in classrooms. I just don't think they're for us.

Instead, I want to share with you the top 5 reading "corners" my girls have.

1) Their Beds
This is probably our most common reading spot. We've always made it a point to read before nap and before bedtime. It's a super easy way to put reading into our routine, and I can tell it's made an impact on them! Not only do they get ready and settled down by reading in bed, but whenever their imagination takes them into a world of taking care of their "babies," they always find a story to read before putting their toys down for a nap!

2) The Kitchen
This is the best place for my oldest, Penelope, to practice her reading. It's especially perfect on the days she brought home a new book from the library she's excited about or a book from her reading group she needs to read for homework. On these days, she grabs one of our dinning table chairs after puts it right in the kitchen. This way, while I'm cooking, she can read to me and I can still be part of it.

3) In a Tent
Do you remember creating a tent using a million blankets and clothespins as a kid? Or was it just me that covered every piece of furniture in the house to make one? Once my girls found out you can make your own little space by draping a blanket here and there, they decided this was a fantastic way to play! Sometimes, they also bring out the little character pop up tents and set them up, too. But it never fails, when a tent is made, it's not complete until there is a book or two in there with them!

4) The Car
Recently, Eleanor (a newly three-year-old) has gotten a kick out of bringing along some kind of stuffed animal in the car while Penelope brings a book. Together, in the back seats, they take turns reading the story to the stuffed animal and get it ready for a car ride nap. It's great because 1) They're reading 2) They are again playing out the routine we have set for them and 3) They are working together to entertain each other in a car ride. Win-win-win!

5) Outside
This is my personal favorite! I remember as a kid climbing on the top of the monkey bars in our back yard or on the top of our shed to feel like I was going somewhere to read privately. I have no idea if my parents really knew how much I was climbing, but I'm pretty sure they knew I was happy and content with a book in my hands. I love watching my girls find safe and "secluded" places outside with their books, too! The other day, Penelope came home from school and popped a seat at the edge of our front yard oak tree and read a three chapter book while waiting for her newly painting nails to dry. She read quietly to herself, enjoying a bit of outdoor "solitude" and when she was done, she was recharged and ready to go!

So I'm sure that having a specified reading corner can be beneficial. It's great to have a place where kids can sit down without other distractions to read comfortably. But you know what the best place for a kid to read is? Anywhere. If your child wants to read in a tent, outside under a tree, or under the kitchen table, it's the perfect reading corner for them! Where have your kids decided a good reading "corner" is?
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