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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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We've arrived at the season of giving thanks--but shouldn't that be every season? Research shows that grateful people are happier and healthier. Here are 12 easy ways to cultivate gratitude with your kids all year long. Click on the links to download free printables! Keep a stack of these Gratitude Cards in a central area of your house. Anytime your child has someone to thank, encourage them to fill out a card! Play Gratitude BINGO. Download these printable BINGO Cards and instructions for playing . The BINGO Cards are an interactive PDF, so you can type on them before printing if you wish. Keep a family Gratitude Journal. At the end of each day, ask your kids what they were thankful for that day. Write their thoughts in the journal. Encourage your kids to think of things specific to the day, and ask them to try not to repeat things from previous days. This practice will help them notice that there are new things to be thankful for each day. Download this Gratitude Scavenger Hunt and have kids complete this activity with friends, classmates, or neighbors. Design your own scavenger hunt using this interactive PDF with different items, so you can play as much as you’d like. Decorate your home with a Gratitude Tree. Create the tree by drawing branches on a poster board or by standing real twigs in a pot or vase. Have kids write their gratitudes on the Gratitude Leaf Cards and add them to the tree. Hopefully you'll be adding branches all year long as your kids think of more and more reasons to give thanks. Take a Gratitude Walk. Walk outdoors with your kids, and have them carry a notebook and pen. Ask them to be quiet during the walk. Have them notice and write down what feels good and what they appreciate about being outdoors. After the walk, ask them to elaborate, either verbally or in writing, on what they wrote down. The books on this Gratitude Book List are all about giving thanks. Whether you're looking for picture books to read aloud to younger kids or chapter books that inspire reflection in your older kids, this list has dozens of fantastic titles. Sometimes the simplest questions can lead to the most profound answers. Use these Gratitude Conversation Starters to prompt thoughtful discussions in your family. Do a daily Gratitude Meditation. Have kids close their eyes and think about the word “thankful” for a quiet minute each day. When they open their eyes, have them write down, tell you, or simply reflect for a moment on the things that came to mind. Have kids write what they’re thankful for on little slips of paper. Have them put the papers in a jar or add them to a bulletin board. Be a role model. Offer your own reflections whenever you feel thankful for something. Take pictures of the things your kids are grateful for. Print the pictures to make a Gratitude Collage to display in your home. P.S. We are thankful for YOU! Thank you for all you do to help your kids become better readers. Please connect with us if One Minute Reader can support you in any way.
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