Reading Nooks

Guest post by Bay Collyns

Reading Nook
(A Time to be Innovative)

   At age five, my most memorable reading nook was a quiet space in the public library; while my mom was busy with her college studies, my brother and I found our reading nook among the children's books.  Today my reading nook continues to be a special place that I have created for my family. We have a large window in our home and plenty of natural light comes through the window throughout the day. We have a bench seat underneath the window and our reading nook also have bookshelves filled with a variety of books. 
  
   It has been said so many times, reading plays an important part in building your child’s vocabulary and comprehension development. A reading nook big or small, wide or narrow, is such a wonderful learning place to explore how reading will be a part of your child's day.
 
    Does your child love to read mystery stories or love camping?  Erect a tent, indoors or the backyard, add one or two flashlights, place a few pillows, slide in some plastic bins to hold books and everyone's favorite treats. Once completed opt to spend time reading together or solo.

   Look around, there are places that are quite convenient for you and your family to read a book in the kitchen offers a welcoming space either the breakfast counter or kitchen table. Perhaps sitting underneath a shaded tree in the park, the beach or the nearby community center. And yes, take a book along with you on your next airplane flight or on that long car or train ride as you travel to your destination.
 
   Do you have an empty closet or a unique architectural area in your home?  Is it time to make the space interesting? Build or purchase a square or corner bookshelf with a color that matches your style, add some unique knickknacks and 'abracadabra', you have transformed that area into a reading nook in which to spend time sharing classic stories.
 
   Are you in an apartment and want to create an area where you can see your young child while they are enjoying their favorite story?  A few bean bags, complemented with blanket throws and several cloth lined containers, you have created an instant nook. 

  Today, many parents are working from home. Your dual role may comprise of work-related projects and keeping an eye on your child activities. Consider an ergonomic chair and desk for your child, a place to study and read. And at the end your long day, when we all would like some quite time, pull in a comfortable chair next to the window and share some thoughts.
 
   Here's a Keepsake Thought: Our first reading nook started in our parents' arms...a place where the joy of each word was heard with clarity, and you smiled or chuckled as the books were read over and over again. In the passage of time and you were older, you knew the exact spot where to find all your favorite books. Yes, the books were kept in a special place on the bookshelf in the reading nook. And based on my childhood memories, it will indeed remain in your child’s memories too.
 

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I have been published in Kappan Magazine (April, 2021), Equestrians of Color (July, 2021) Plaid Horse Magazine (Dec./Jan. 2021) and Language Magazine (January, 2022). Additionally, I am a guest blogger for Orange Blossom Publishing (November, 2021), Black Girl Spoken (December, 2021), Kids World (January, 2022), Young Money Finance (February, 2022) and MommiNation (March, 2022).

My husband and I live in Orlando, Florida. I relish my years of teaching children, now I teach adults and parenting our two daughters. My leisure times allows me to help children with disabilities improve the quality of their lives by riding horses in addition to riding myself.

Remember: “Words are to the mind and soul as food is to the body.” Bay Collyns