Books have a tremendous influence on many areas of learning. I am able to introduce themes of friendship, diversity, overcoming challenges, thus helping to develop character. THE READING CORNER: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT IS IT FOR?

Books are capable of expanding children’s knowledge of the world, cultures and traditions and introducing imaginary themes.

It is said that the best way to increase children’s intelligence is to read fairy tales to them.

Read “The importance of fairy tales for children”

The corner of the book should be placed in the quietest part of the house and include at least one space in which the child can “isolate himself”. It should be protected on three sides by walls, shelves or dividing panels. Rugs or carpets and soft seating or cushions add a cozy touch, arches or fabrics make the area inviting. A wall panel and puppets can transform the reading area into a play area if desired.

Read How to create a Montessori reading corner at home

Learning through the reading corner and observations on development

Communication and language

Listening and attention

• Children respond by listening to nursery rhymes or singing.
• When stories are told or read aloud, children learn to listen carefully, anticipate events, and respond to what they hear with comments, questions or actions.
• Children learn non-verbal communication through body language and facial expression.

Understanding

• Children ask “how” or “why” in response to the stories, providing themselves with learning opportunities.
• Children learn to make connections with their own experiences.

Language

• The stories generate conversations, allowing children to express their ideas.
• The repetition of stories and poems establishes the foundation of language in children’s minds and strengthens learning. Children can recite familiar phrases.
• Children learn to have fun with language, learning humor and word play. They love to use big words and often adopt vocabulary learned from books.

Physical development

Health and self-care

• Children will discuss ways to keep themselves safe and healthy if the topic is presented in a story.
• Children who enjoy books can benefit from a peaceful rest, which is essential for healthy physical development.

Personal, social and emotional development

Management of feelings and behavior

• Through stories, children develop empathy. They can shiver in moments of suspense or rejoice together with the protagonists of the stories. They can recognize how others feel.
• Some stories explicitly deal with emotions; others (such as fairy tales) implicitly deal with feelings, allowing children to safely explore fear, anger, pain, or anxiety.

Creating relationships

• Sharing books builds positive relationships between people and between children.
• Enjoying a good book with a group of children strengthens group solidarity.

Literacy

Reading

• In books, children clearly see that writing tells a story. They become fascinated and eager to “unlock the code on their own”.
• Children can begin to link sounds and letters if they look at the pages of a book as it is read aloud.
• From picture books (with or without text) children can learn valuable literacy skills: context, sequencing, and finding meaning.

Writing

• Books inspire children to tell their stories; an adult who writes these stories demonstrates the link between spoken and written language. ·
• Children can be inspired to create books with their drawings and their own simple words (or with captions added by the teacher). ·
• When they are ready, the children will start writing.

Understanding the world

People and communities

• Books and stories stimulate discussion about the similarities and differences between children, their families and their traditions.
• Books offer the opportunity to recognize similarities and differences.

The world

• Books teach children stories about other countries, communities and cultures. The discussion naturally follows.
• A good variety of books will fuel individual interests, allowing children to learn about animals and plants, for example, and to extend their understanding of the world and the universe.

Art and design

Be imaginative

• Books can inspire children to act out stories through role play, puppetry or dance.
• Children’s art and design can be stimulated by book illustrations.
• Stories are often reflected in children’s art and play.

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