10 Ways to Create a Reader Friendly Home
Readers, today I want to show you how to maximize your living space for your budding bookworms so that they can have a massive advantage over most kids in school. Below is a list of my top 10 ways to create a reader-friendly home.
10 Ways to Create a Reader Friendly Home
Did you know that having just 20 books in your home can help your child succeed when they begin school? Having recently moved to the DC area, most of my friends live in 800 sq. feet apartments. Having a dream library of thousands of books is simply impossible. However, thanks to the amazing libraries on every corner, there is no shortage of dedicated readers in this city… It is just done a little differently.
1. Create an Enticing Reading Space
Kids love all things forts/tents/secret hiding places. Ask my oldest daughter about the crawl space under the garage; she will tell you its “MY special place.” It’s non-negotiable that it belongs to her and only her. I remember the very first day when my family moved from L.A. to San Diego. My little brothers and I IMMEDIATELY found the tiny closet under the stairs and we played in there for hours. (ages 7, 5, 3) I know children who have massive bedrooms or playrooms, and what do they all do… make a tiny fort out of two chairs and a sheet. Give them a flashlight and they are marvelously content. This concept is the very reason where living in a small house may have the upper hand.
The goal is to have at least one area that is a designated “reading nook/corner”. You can add personality with pillows, puppets, stuffed animals, etc. but it should be a place where your child(ren) feel comfortable to hang out for hours. Bonus: blankets and quilts with words to add an extra layer of literacy while cuddling.
Like I said above, many people do not have a dedicated reading corner due to lack of space. Be creative and use what you have. Make the reading corner in the closet if you need too, but give your children a special place. Reluctant readers may be more enticed if you print out e-mails, tweets, and text messages from friends and relatives. Books can be intimidating, but it seems all children would read a text message (or a thousand) anytime.
The most important thing is to keep reading material handy.
Currently, I have a 2-month infant and a 6-year-old. That means I have books in my diaper bag, books under the bassinet, and books by the bathtub. Think of where you spend the most time and start there!
2. Keep Books in the Bathroom
For those with younger kids (0-5), this is an especially great way to get some extra read-aloud time while they play in the bath. There are a variety of plastic books you can buy that can even go right into the bathtub so kids can read for themselves as well (my personal favorite, Barnyard Bath by Sandra Boynton).
For older children, there are wonderful bathtub book holders, as well an E-Reader/iPod options to play audiobooks with pre-teens/teenagers. Let’s face it, this is where they are spending hours a day, why not take advantage?! Having books in the bathroom can be as simple and inexpensive as a box or caddy, or if you have space, have a bookcase filled with your kids’ favorites as well as new books.
3.Make a Book Wish List
Have your children update their reading wish lists often. This way when your good friends and relatives come over and want to bring a small gift, you are ready. If you are like me, I have stuffed animals coming out my ears for my girls from generous visitors.
If you have a list of their favorite books, comics, magazines, etc., this can be a wonderful way to for your guests to bring a small gift that is actually used rather than thrown into the pile of toys. This is especially important for you new parents out there; while you put things like strollers and baby monitors on the list, add books to all those baby registries!!
4. Read During Meals
Depending on the space you have, having at least one picture book/chapter book to read as a family at meal time is such a great way to sneak in those extra reading minutes. Their mouths are full, they are sitting down already, take advantage of this valuable opportunity!
In our home, we have a basket of books on one of the breakfast nook shelves. We switch the picture books to celebrate holidays/events around the world. You can get your own Diversity Calendar HERE. Have fun using what your child(ren)’s interests are to encourage reading while they eat!
5. Provide Books on the Go
Technically, you are not “home” but for many that spend a lot of time in the car for one reason or another, my next suggestion is to have a “reading corner in a box” so to speak. In our wonderful backseat car organizer, my daughter can read, draw, and play make believe with toys for a long car ride. There is a space for a Kindle/iPad as well which I encourage you to download the language learning apps as well as stories/books. 
Technology is not the enemy, it is all in how it is used and how often. Giving kids special materials so they look forward to car rides is invaluable when you think about all the running around we do. As you take your child to and from school, after-school activities, as well as sitting in traffic, encourage your little ones to become artists and bookworms.
P.S. For long road trips, we upgrade to this car organizer to add drinks/snacks/etc as well as more books/materials.
6. Writing Materials are a Must
Remember kids LOVE to read what they have written, as well as show others. Having writing notebooks, paper, charts, etc.. available in your reading spaces is a must. To take it a step further, add some very fun writing utensils.
We have sparkly pens, dinosaur markers, crayon squigglers, and stamps in our reading corner to encourage becoming an author yourself. I know my daughter loves creating her own “books”. She is only 6 so I pre-staple paper together to make books which she LOVES to fill up with her own stories. Include resources like diaries, travel journals, or digital journal options.
For the best digital journal/diary apps for ages 4-16, click HERE.
7. Diversify your Books
To really keep reading alive in your home, the first rule of thumb is that the kids have to LIKE the book.
Scholastic Corporation does a bi-annual national survey of children ages 6–17, and their parents exploring their attitudes and behaviors around reading books for fun and 73% of children say they would read more if they could find BOOKS THEY LOVE.
Two ways to keep reading fresh in your home are to rotate the books you already have and to have diverse options. In my classroom, I switch books for new themes, holidays, science and social studies projects,etc.
The goal is the same for your home. Hide some of the books and then switch them out while they are school, sleeping, etc so it’s like magic when they see their “brand new bookshelves”. You want the kids to re-read books, so changing too often can also hinder the reading jive.
In 2017, we are still sorely lacking diversity in children’s books but it must be a priority to learn about other races and cultures through books. Your child may not have this exposure in real life, and to find commonality with characters in a book who are different than them is an invaluable lesson for their future.
Again, technology is not the enemy. Reading is the goal, no matter what the venue. With my daughter’s Amazon FreeTime tablet, you can use the parental controls to require X amount of reading minutes before games/videos are unlocked. This can be a way to encourage reading before playing.
8. Use Music for Reading
My husband’s favorite gift I have given him so far were tickets to the FIBA World basketball championships. A close second was our karaoke machine. I got him the Sing Trix karaoke machine. This incredible product allows you to change your voice with an autotuner. This is perfect for people like me who cannot sing.
Having to read the lyrics in a song they are performing, guess what… your kids will be READING! This is by far the sneakiest and greatest way to add more reading to your home. Nursery rhyme Sing-a-longs to Adele’s greatest hits is a guaranteed fun time for your children (and their friends).
As a simple and inexpensive way to include reading through music, click HERE for a list of great musical resources online to play on your TV/computer/tablet.
9. Invest in Good Lighting
Let there be light. Period. From stick on the wall lights to a fabulous chandelier, ensure that your reading area(s) are well-lit and enticing for your family. Having bright areas will nearly guarantee an increase the amount of reading that gets done.
I don’t know about you, but dim lighting both makes me sleepy as well as bored more easily. The same goes for your children. Spice up your reading nook with colored lights or lights in the shapes of their favorite characters, and you will see your little bookworms gravitate to it immediately.
For a great example of a well lit and enticing reading area, read more on The Anatomy of the Perfect Reading Space.
10. Read in Front of Your Kids
Reading is an invaluable investment in your child’s future. It is so much less expensive than a tutor or supplemental online programs. Irrespective of a parent’s occupation or socioeconomic status, kids have an automatic advantage when they come from homes filled with literature. Children that come from a home with 500 books remain in education on average 3 -6 years longer than children in homes without books. They also make at least $350,000 more in lifetime earnings.
Be consistent with your reading habits and it will speak much louder than words. If you are not a reader yourself, your child is less likely to value reading as important. Do not forget to share something interesting you are reading with your child.
Talk about the books you read, and they will follow suit. You can take it one step further and host a book club so they see that reading can be done with friends. Get the grandparents, siblings, and nannies involved. The old saying goes, it takes a village.
Want More Ideas?
I have a whole lesson on How to Create a Reader Friendly Home in my Teach Kids to Read Ages 0-5 online and self–paced course. Check out the first 2 lessons for free HERE.
Biracial Bookworms
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08/24/2017 @ 10:05 pm
I have a book wishlist but I have been in a two-year reading slump and haven’t read much this year at all. I wish I were brave enough to read in the tub, but I drop my phone and kindle easily, so I’d be traumatized if it happened in the tub!
My BBH – http://poemsbyayoungartist.blogspot.com/2017/08/bookbloggerhop-august-18-24-bookshelves.html
08/20/2017 @ 8:11 pm
Fantastic post!!!
Thanks for sharing.
I found the link to your post on the Blog Hop.
Thanks for joining in this week.
Have a wonderful upcoming week, and Happy Hopping to other blogs!!
I hope you join in again next week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Book Blogger Hop
07/06/2017 @ 6:32 am
These are great tips for creating a reader friendly home. I want to start reading more and these are so spot on. Thanks for sharing.
XOXO //SINCERELY OPHELIA | NYC Petite Fashion Blogger
07/07/2017 @ 9:19 pm
I am so glad you were able to spark some ideas from reading Ophelia!! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and hope your reading adventures continue with all the awesome decor ideas!;)
07/06/2017 @ 3:26 am
These are great tips! I use some now to encourage a love of books in my little, and I will be doing more soon!
07/07/2017 @ 9:21 pm
That is fantastic Victoria! Moving forward one day at a time is awesome! Thank you so much for stopping by to read and comment!
07/06/2017 @ 1:36 am
This is a fantastic post and I hope that more parents take your advice! As a teacher and a mom reading is a huge part of my life. My classroom library is completely stocked with all kinds of books in various genres and levels to encourage reading for enjoyment (all kinds of fiction) and reading to learn (all kinds of non fiction). Luckily I had a classroom of avid readers each year so I knew my students came to school with a love of reading. I have a 6 year old and a one year old and I do the same thing at home. Books are part of our day to day life. We have books in the bath and books in the diaper bag. I love your idea of a good reading nook and reading at meal times. I put on music during reading time in the classroom too. Believe it or not, there are some children that come to school with not one book in their home and it breaks my heart. So I try to donate books to other classrooms. My class actually won a writing competition 3 years in a row so I was able to buy $1500 worth of books. So exciting for a teacher!!! Thanks for sharing your ideas. I’m following you on Pinterest too as For The Love of Teachers.
07/07/2017 @ 9:24 pm
You have made my day Christine! We have a lot in common with being teacher Mamas and our kids are roughly the same age. (Mine are 6 and 5 months). I have experienced those same students walking with no exposure to a reading environment at home. How phenomenal you won the grant to be able to put brand new and culturally responsive books on your shelf. Thank you for the follow and I look forward to connecting with you on Pinterest as well. Teachers unite!! Big virtual hug to you mama!
07/05/2017 @ 9:46 pm
I love books but find it so hard to find a reading space at home especially with a young toddler. So I just tend to read on the go. I also haven’t put any books in the bathroom either as I’m worried that the dampness will get to it and ruin the book (I like my books looking brand new). Although I love physical books, I find that I’m starting to read more and more from a digital reader.
07/07/2017 @ 9:30 pm
I understand your concerns with all the pretty books. We do have special ones we keep out of reach to preserve them. But our most loved books definitely take a beating. I too am best friends with Audible and my Kindle right now. I have a newborn so I usually only have one free hand while I am feeding.. physical books are my favorite, but for this stage, I am all about outsourcing! Thank you so much for stopping by to read and comment Nita!
07/05/2017 @ 7:21 pm
Reading in front of kids is a great tip! Nothing sparks their curiosity like seeing you interested in something.
07/07/2017 @ 9:31 pm
Nothing like the power of persuasion. They aren’t hungry until they see you eat, and all of the sudden they are starved!;) Thank you so much for coming by to read and comment John.
07/05/2017 @ 7:20 pm
90% of my reading is done from the thrown room 🙂
07/05/2017 @ 10:33 pm
Haha! True story Ryan! Best comment of the day!
05/31/2017 @ 4:34 pm
Keeping books in the bathroom also helped us tremendously with potty training 🙂
05/31/2017 @ 5:03 pm
Haha! I love it! So much better than bribing with candy; bribe them with hysterical read alouds!????❤️
05/11/2017 @ 6:57 am
As a book lover, I appreciated this post. It was a reminder that I need a better reading space in my home. lately, it’s been on my bed.
05/11/2017 @ 12:44 pm
The bed works too!;) However I love a good reading chair!???????? Thanks for commenting!
05/10/2017 @ 12:18 pm
Creating a book wishlist is a good tip. I keep a wishlist of books and homeschool supplies and I send it out for my daughters birthday. Our friends and family always get books off of our wishlist!
05/10/2017 @ 12:32 pm
That is amazing! I need to keep up with ours. It’s a bit outdated. Thanks for the reminder!!:) Cheers.
05/10/2017 @ 9:03 am
This is a great list of suggestions for book lovers! I’ve moved several times over the last six years, and my book collection is always the first thing I unpack and arrange. Even in a strange new city, my books instantly make it feel like “HOME”!
05/10/2017 @ 9:18 am
That is awesome!! We also move a lot and I love setting up our libraries in each room with fresh ideas and mixing up our books and finding old favorites! Cheers to you book lover! ❤️????
05/09/2017 @ 6:55 pm
I absolutely love the idea of reading at the table during meals. We always have tons to talk about at dinner, but it my kids would love to hear stories at breakfast or lunch! It would probably help them to stay seated for a bit longer, too.
05/09/2017 @ 7:05 pm
For sure, meals are precious reading moments! Thanks for your comment!
05/09/2017 @ 5:23 pm
I grew up in a very reading friendly home and I must say it’s why I love reading now! Seeing my parents (and grandparents and uncles) read had a huge influence on me.
05/09/2017 @ 6:10 pm
It’s amazing how we benefit from the habits of our parents! You are very fortunate to grow up in a reader friendly home!!
05/09/2017 @ 3:31 pm
I love the idea of reading at meals. My oldest son was a terrible eater. He took forever to get through a meal. If we read then everyone could enjoy themselves while he ate slowly.
05/09/2017 @ 6:11 pm
This made me smile. I love how you found the silver lining! I love when a problem can be solved with reading!! Let me know how it goes!
05/09/2017 @ 1:23 pm
I love these ideas! I used to do #4, but for some reason I haven’t for a while. I need to get back to it again. It also helps the kids sit still and actually eat rather than running around. 🙂
05/09/2017 @ 6:14 pm
For sure, it is difficult to read with all of life’s distractions. But when you have the captive audience known as food, it helps a LOT! Thanks for commenting!
05/09/2017 @ 1:44 am
What great tips! I too believe that letting your kids see you reading is both important and encouraging! But the music I had never thought of!
05/09/2017 @ 11:17 am
Music is probably our favorite way to read! It works so well with young children. It’s a natural segway to becoming an author as well to write your own lyrics.. such a great creative way to get kids writing more and with less fear! Thanks for commenting!
05/08/2017 @ 10:56 pm
These are great ideas. I am trying to create a reading friendly home actually rather than you cluttered. Reading is so valuable and yes I do keep them in the diaper bag and every room so far!
05/08/2017 @ 11:01 pm
You are on your way!! Well done mama!!????❤️