5 easy ways to enhance your book area

 

A Book area is a great way for children to access early reading skills and promote literacy development. Books encourage language development and can extend a child’s vocabulary skills offering them the opportunity to experience new words and put them into context. Early reading also offers children the opportunity to develop and build imaginative skills and emotional development. Book areas can be extended to include and promote other areas of development.

Here are 5 easy ways to enhance your book area.

Puppets

Puppets are a great way for children to rein act the stories that they hear. They offer children a visual prompt when listening to stories or a nursery rhyme, helping them to understand what is happening. Puppets can be used to help children understand empathy and emotions, whilst giving children who are shy some confidence in interacting with others. Puppets can be bought or be made by the children, to fit with a particular theme or story.

Music

Offering music in your book area can support auditory learners. CD’s of favourite books can support children who may find it difficult to sit and concentrate when a story is being read; this allows all children to be involved in literacy. CD’s can also offer children a range of sounds from different cultures and backgrounds, extending their understanding of the world and communities. Musical instruments can also support and refine children’s listening and attention skills.

Story Sacks

Story sacks are a fun way to present books, offering activities or puppets alongside a story. Some settings use drawstring bags; however these can also be offered using small baskets. Using baskets allows the children to see what is on offer and spark their curiosity. Activities such as puzzles, plastic food or animals and puppets can be offered alongside a story. This enables children to extend their learning through continuous provision, allowing them to add to their experience.

Writing materials

Offering materials such a clipboards, paper, pencils and felt tips can extend a book area. Children can be given the opportunity to draw characters from a story, note down thoughts and ideas and try writing or drawing their own stories. This will encourage and enhance early writing skills needed for literacy development.

Different Levels

Offering different levels for the children to sit and read will help them to relax and fully emerge themselves in a story. Having large cushions on the floor, rocking chairs or even reading hammocks can allow children to feel comfortable in the area and experiment with different ways of focusing their attention. Just like adults, children find it difficult to concentrate if they are not comfortable. Large tyres filled with cushions can provide a great seating area for the children, allowing them the opportunity to feel enclosed and enjoy a story alone.