A good book corner is essential to literacy development in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
It can play a vital part in promoting a positive disposition to reading as well as being a worthwhile and satisfying activity. The most important resources in any book corner are the texts that it contains, so it is vital that you:
- ensure that the books provided reflect the tastes and preferences of the children
- make a point of becoming knowledgeable about the best children's books
- then make these books available to the children as part of a carefully planned programme of reading aloud
- familiarise yourself with modern picture book authors, and
- ensure that children have access to up-to-date reading material.
Encourage children to spend time in the book corner, praise them for doing so and discuss their choices of books with them.
CHOOSING AND USING
Children need to be encouraged to use the book corner for their own purposes, so allow them to take books from there to other areas of continuous provision for use in their play. For example, they may want to read a story to the dolls at bedtime in the home corner or a have a book on dinosaurs near the small-world play area.
Adults need to model how to choose a book, and this can be supported by the way in which books are organised and labelled.
Make sure that the children know where they can access a 'quick read' or an old favourite - Dear Zoo, for example, or The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Ensure books that have been read out loud to the children are easily accessible as they will enjoy re-enacting the story for themselves.
Remember, too, how well-displayed books can help children in making choices about what they want to read. Exceptionally useful are shelves that allow the whole book cover to be displayed. You can use these to create displays that focus on a particular author or type of book (non-fiction, for example, or fairy stories).
Changing the display regularly will encourage children to engage with a variety of texts. Talk to them about the books and show their comments.
SITTING COMFORTABLY?
When choosing furniture, think about what would encourage children to spend time browsing, choosing and reading books independently, or with an adult. The more relaxed they are, the more likely they will make the most use of the resources.
Many children enjoy sprawling on the floor, with a book spread in front of them. Some may want to read with an adult, others to share a story with a friend or favourite cuddly toy - and will not necessarily want to sit on a chair or at a table. Novelty chairs may look appealing but they also have high status with the children, often triggering disputes. Discuss these issues and support the children in negotiating, sharing and turn-taking.
Helen Bromley is an early years consultant and literacy specialist CHECKLIST: Essential Resources
- Collection of high-quality 'core' story books and collection of resources built around them
- A box of 'quick reads'
- Information texts, in a range of styles
- Dual-language texts and books with different scripts
- Books showing positive images of children and adults of different races, cultures, genders and abilities
- Books made by children, including those with photographs and 'own versions' of popular texts
- Favourite poems, rhymes and songs, typed on to cards and laminated
- Puppets, soft toys and real objects for story props
- Comics, magazines and catalogues, to reflect home-based literacy practices
- Multiple copies of the children's favourite texts
- CD player with headphones, for listening to story recordings
MORE INFORMATION
- Simply The Best: Books for Children 0-7, published by CLPE, www.clpe.co.uk - a list of books suitable for use in early years settings and beyond. An excellent publication for parents.
- Books for Keeps
Subscribe to this quarterly magazine and always be up-to-date with the latest titles. www.booksforkeeps.co.uk
BEST BUYS
Bookshelves that display the whole book cover are highly recommended and available from leading suppliers, including NES Arnold (www.nesarnold.co.uk), Galt Educational (www.galt-educational.co.uk), Eibe (www.eibe.co.uk), Community Playthings (www.communityplaythings.co.uk) and Early Excellence (www.earlyexcellence.co.uk)
