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What Makes an Ideal Reading Environment?
Madeline Waters • June 20, 2023
Environment is a very powerful driver of behavior. We’re affected by so many variables like light, noise, temperature, and space. All of these factors and more have the potential to impact our mood, energy, motivation, efficiency, and sense of security. The significance of environment is something we all have experience with, and for that reason, we often search for ways to control our surroundings. That’s why people spend time maximizing their workspace for comfort and efficiency, finding a gym where they feel safe and motivated, or cleaning out the garage every spring. Consider the environment you’re in right now. How is it affecting you? What things do you have control over?
There are an unlimited number of variables surrounding and affecting us at all times. Reading time is no exception. So, what can we do to create an optimal reading space for our children? Here are some easy and effective ideas:
1. Minimize distractions.
- Make your reading space a device-free zone.
- Smartphones are endlessly entertaining. With an unlimited number of apps and notifications, it can be hard to resist the temptation to respond to that text, play one more game, or scroll for just a few minutes on a favorite social media platform. Set all devices (don’t forget about watches!) to “Do Not Disturb” and keep them in a basket out of reach and out of sight.
- Keep your reading space tidy.
- Messy space can be distracting, or at the very least, create a feeling of unease. An ideal reading environment is tidy and organized.
- Keep your reading space separate from other spaces.
- A reading space should be a space for just that—reading. Conversations, toys, activities, or even too much movement can interfere with a reader’s ability to focus. Even if the reading space is part of another room, dedicate a corner or a small section of the room for the sole purpose of reading.
2. Create comfort.
- Make your reading space a physically comfortable place to spend lots of time.
- When you hear the phrase, “Curl up with a good book,” what do you picture? Pillows, blankets, and fluffy rugs are a great way to cozy-up a space. Bean bags, rocking chairs, hammocks, and small sofas are also comfortable places to read. Or, help your young readers build a reading fort!
- Lighting, temperature, and ventilation are all huge contributors to physical comfort. Open a window to let in some fresh air and natural light. If that’s not possible, try turning on a fan and adding some reading lamps or string lights.
- Pay attention to background noise.
- Everyone has different preferences when it comes to background noise. Some people like it quiet, while others enjoy listening to instrumental music or white noise. If there are multiple readers sharing a space, try to find a solution that works for everyone. Headphones and earplugs are great options to provide more individual choice.
- Respect privacy.
- Reading time can make people feel vulnerable. A person may feel embarrassed about what they're reading or how they sound reading aloud. Privacy can help your readers feel more comfortable and secure. Bookshelves or curtains can function well as dividers.
3. Increase engagement.
- Ensure your reading space has a variety of materials.
- It’s important to give readers lots of options. Magazines, novels, newspapers, comics, journals, articles, biographies, poetry, encyclopedias, catalogs, dictionaries, scripts, and brochures are great additions to any reading collection.
- Have a "top picks" shelf.
- Get your readers invested in the reading environment by allowing them to contribute to it. Set up a space for them to display their top picks, and encourage them to write a review.
- Be mindful of your readers' energy levels.
- Food can be a great way to help the body stay alert. Coffee and tea are beverages that are often associated with reading time, but even just having a fresh glass of water within reach can be helpful. Gum or mints can be good options, too. If you want to go above and beyond, find a special treat to only serve during reading time. Your young readers will associate the delicious snack with the activity of reading.
- Some young readers might have trouble sitting still for so long. Fidget toys or a book stand are good options for allowing movement during quiet reading time.
As an added bonus, we asked our followers on social media, “What makes an ideal reading environment?” Read their responses below!
- Good light and sounds of nature!
- No phone
- Pillows and blankets
- For me, just enough light!
- White noise
- A comfy beach chair and the sound of waves!
- Lots of choices in reading materials
- Ideally a quiet area with a comfy chair! But the most important thing for me is just having something interesting to read :)
- For grown-ups: a cup of coffee!
- Breeze coming in an open window
- A comfy chair
- An organized bookshelf!
- Natural light
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Valentine’s Day, a holiday about love, seems to instead fill a large portion of the population with dread. If romance isn’t your thing, you feel doomed. If you’re unpartnered, you feel left out. If you’re a teacher, you’re bracing yourself for a day of mayhem and over-sugared students. And if you’re a parent of school-aged children, your living space is suddenly littered with dozens of valentines your children need to address. Does anyone actually love this holiday? Perhaps those of us working with struggling readers can reclaim it. After all, the written word is central to many of the ways we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Here are some Valentine’s Day-themed literacy ideas parents can do with their kids leading up to the holiday: Have kids write a “love letter” to their favorite book or One Minute Reader story. In the letter, they should explore how the book/story relates to their own life and why it is meaningful to them. Require kids to use their school spelling words, challenging vocabulary words, or words from One Minute Reader stories as they write valentines to friends and family. Have kids use candy conversation hearts as starting points for thinking about and creating sentences. For example, how could a heart that says “Be Mine” be turned into a question or a declarative sentence? Explore the genre of poetry and teach kids about simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, and rhyme. You could even read a few Shakespearean Sonnets together—it’s never too early! Allow kids to eat a treat and then think of five or more adjectives to describe it. The Internet is full of Valentine’s Day-themed printables, worksheets, and projects , such as word finds and puzzles. Or, design your own incorporating the words your students are currently studying. And of course, read plenty of feel-good and Valentine’s Day-themed books aloud to your kids, followed by meaningful discussion about the books' vocabulary and themes. We can also encourage parents to reframe how they think about all the valentines littering their homes, waiting to be addressed. Are they a tedious chore? Or do they provide SO MUCH reading and writing practice? (I’ll admit, I might need this reminder.) If you have any ideas to add to our list, we’d love to hear them. We’ll be thinking of you and your kids with great admiration leading up to Valentine's Day, and always!
Regardless of where kids are on their reading journey, there are countless ways to incorporate reading into cozy days at home this winter. Here are some easy ideas for kids to try at home over winter break and beyond! Have kids think of the trusted friends, family members, or adults in their lives who can read, and encourage them to read aloud with these people as often as possible. Depending on their reading ability, they can simply listen to a book read aloud, or they can take turns reading and being read to. Have the kids fill out this Read-Aloud Log every time someone reads to them or every time they read to someone. You could offer a small reward for completing this activity every day of winter break (or every day during a predetermined time period). Reading aloud to their pets, stuffed animals, or even to themselves counts too! Set up reading challenges in which kids set goals and record their minutes spent reading or the number of books they read. Have kids color and decorate these winter-themed bookmarks to make reading even more fun. Encourage kids to borrow books from the library and have a big pile to choose from on cozy winter days. See this Cozy Wintertime Book List for book ideas. Refer to our 7 Ways to Create a Cozy Reading Environment document to create an ideal reading space. Lend or gift kids the first book in a series that’s likely to hook them. Sometimes all it takes is the right series to turn a reluctant reader into a bookworm! Incorporate reading time into other fun activities. For example, while making dinner or baking holiday treats, kids can read the recipes and write out the grocery lists. Create a snowflake book wall. Print out this Snowflake Wall Template , and have kids fill out a snowflake each time they finish a book. Then, have them tape the snowflake to the wall. Encourage kids to find ways to read while playing favorite games or while spending time on electronic devices. While playing games, have them read the game instructions aloud. While watching shows, have them turn on and read the subtitles. Have kids practice reading and writing while completing this fun Winter Scavenger Hunt . They’ll get some fresh air too! Refer to this Send Some Cheer printable for addresses to places where kids can send letters. Have them practice their writing skills and spread kindness by writing to kids in hospitals, senior citizens, refugee children, and more. Set up daily One Minute Reader time, and see literacy progress in just minutes! This research-proven, parent-trusted program is free for 7 days and just $8/month after that. Your kids will have so much fun beating their goals, they won't want to stop. Download the Splat-o-Nym vocabulary iPad app , which keeps kids entertained while boosting their vocabulary. Kids can try a free version of this game and purchase to get the full experience. Note that this app is only available for iPads, not smartphones or other devices. Add your own ideas to this list! Our hope is for all kids to experience the joy of reading this winter season and always.
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