Just in time for Tuesday Tips, I pulled out this great card from a shopping bag – yeah!! I thought it would be fun to show you how we incorporate these principles in our home…forgive the mess in the background – we live at Sweet Pea House, not a catalog!!
In case you can’t read the fine print in the photo – here are principles plus photos of how we put them into action:
1. Space. Make sure you have a comfortable, well lighted spaces for your children to read, including space in their bedrooms and shared rooms.
We bring our chairs or blankets out here for some reading in the green space – a real luxury in AZ!
Here is another outdoor space we enjoy – also a part of the courtyard. I have our sand & water table in this area as well.
Puma’s reading corner
2. Books, books, and more books. Having a variety of age-appropriate books available ensures there’s always something fun to read nearby.
Books that are in our room for a peaceful family training at the end of the day…we hope the ideas seep in over night!
Books in our family room – took some of the niches and turned them into bookshelves! On the top is part of the lending library for our students.
Here is a close-up of the bottom shelf…more going to bed books!
Book basket in the family room – I try to remember to rotate these out so there are always new treasures!
Puma’s bookshelf
Playroom bookshelf
Schoolroom bookshelf with books, art supplies, and manipulatives.
3. Creative writing. Encourage your children to develop writing skills by stocking a variety of colorful writing materials and creating bright and airy space to write and draw.
Each kiddo has a pencil case of one kind or another with the basics…they usually have scissors and a magnifying glass in there, too! Will have to do a treasure hunt for Charger’s I guess…
Our writing corner in the schoolroom – paper and lots of things to write/draw with 🙂
Even our youngest has the opportunity to practice her writing!! This is what the “writing” of an almost-two year old looks like at our house.
4. Play! Make sure you have lots of props for pretend play, and play with your child. The words you share through play help grow your child’s vocabulary.
Puppet basket
Costumes
Play food we mostly use to play farmer’s market, picnic, and S’mores!
5. Read. If your kids see you reading, they’ll learn that reading is a fun and valuable way to spend time.
On Coach Bruss’s side of the bed – he also keeps a couple of books to read in the car while he waits.
Books on my side of the bed.
How do your incorporate these ideas into your family’s space?