Book corner
Judith Stevens
Wednesday, January 3, 2001
It's important to have a dedicated book area, however small it is, available at all times. An exciting book corner is part of teh basic early years provision and should encourage both adults and children to use it frequently. Practitioners need to spend time planning and maintaining the area, and books need to be tidied and changed regularly.
Practitioners need to spend time planning and maintaining the area, and books need to be tidied and changed regularly.
Favourite books should be available all the time, but new ones and books to support topics should also be introduced. Damaged books need to be skillfully mended or withdrwan; children need books to be in good condition.
Of course, children need to use books in places other than the book corner. Relevant books should always be used in displays and placed in appropriate areas around the room. For example next to the goldfish tank there should be information about fish and storybooks such as The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister (North South Books, Pounds12.95). Children will often choose to move books around the room during their play, for example, into the home corner to 'read in bed' as they do at home.
Planning a book corner
* Choose an area that is large enough to accommodate a group of children at storytime, but small enough to be cosy.
* Make sure the are is quiet enough during the session time (not next to the woodwork or large brick area!).
* The area should be comfortable and welcoming. Use carpets, rugs, drapes and cushions.
* Make the books easily accessible to the children - on low shelves, a wire frame or a book box.
* Provide an area for displays of books perhaps books by the same author or those choosen to support a topic. An upturned cardboard box covered with fabric is ideal in a small area.
* Display examples of children's work about books - perhaps drawings of their favourite titles, with the children's comments written by adults (try using paper cut into teh shape of a 'speech bubble').
* Divide the books into a few categories and label the books.
For example, a red square with the letter "I" could mean information books.
Storytime
Every session should include a planned storytime which reflects the age and needs of the children. Young children need to be in small groups and have short story session with lots of opportunities to join in and be active. There should also be regular opportunities throughout the day for children to share books with adults and each other, sometimes on a one-to-one basis.
Adults need to plan to share books out-of-doors (not only on sunny days). Many settings provide a special selection of 'outdoor books' with blankets or rugs for children to sit outside.
