Reading is like a magical journey that can transport us to different worlds and spark our imaginations.
Are you looking for a way to foster a love for reading in your little one? Whether you have a 4-year-old who is just starting to explore the world of books or 7-year-old diving into chapter books, book rotation is a wonderful way to make reading an exciting adventure! In this blog post, we’ll share the benefits of book rotation for kids and provide you with some tips on how to get started.
How to Get Started with Book Rotation
- Create a ‘Special’ Reading Space: Designate a cozy corner or a special reading nook in your home. I created a little corner in the kid’s room, I placed their Delicious Monsters, Biggie Beanbag, and floating shelves. Make the room or corner inviting, you can add comfy cushions, a blanket, and good lighting, this all depends on the size of the space you have.
- Choose a Variety of Books: Collect a diverse range of books suitable for your child’s age and reading level. This can include picture books, early readers, and chapter books. You can also choose seasonal books, or do whatever works best for you.
- Get Your Kids Involved: Allow your child to choose the books they want to read from the variety of books you have. You can also involve them in the process of creating a book rotation schedule or calendar.
- Rotate Books Regularly: Set a schedule for changing the books in your reading nook. It could be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on your child’s reading pace and preferences.
- Discuss the Books: After reading a book, engage in conversations with your child. I like to ask the kids questions about the story, characters, and their favorite parts we read about in the book. This helps deepen their understanding and connection to the book.
Benefits of Book Rotation:
1 Keeps Reading Fresh and Exciting
Kids love new things! When you rotate books, it’s like receiving a fresh set of adventures every time they pick up a new book. Book rotation keeps the reading material fresh and exciting, preventing boredom and burnout.
2 Encourages Your Child To Read Independently.
By having a selection of books to choose from, you empower your children to take charge of their reading journey, fostering a sense of independence and self-discovery. This also helps them develop a love for reading.
3 Promotes a Love for a Variety of Genres
Book rotation exposes your child to a wider variety of books and authors. When children are limited to reading the same books over and over again, they are not exposed to different writing styles and perspectives. Book rotation helps children to discover new authors and genres, which can help them to develop their own unique reading taste.
4 Makes reading more fun and exciting.
Reading the same books over and over again can be a bit boring not just for kids, but for adults too. Changing the books around makes reading fun, the kids always look forward to reading different books every week.
5 Supports Language Development:
Exposure to a variety of books with different vocabulary and themes can enhance your child’s language and comprehension skills. They’ll learn new words and concepts along the way.
Book rotation is a great strategy for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. Here are some specific tips for each age group:
1-2 years old focus on putting out a small selection of board books and picture books. Choose books with bright colors and simple stories that your child will enjoy.
3-5-year-olds are starting to develop their reading skills, so you can start to include more chapter books in their rotation. Look for books with short chapters and simple plots.
6-8-year-olds are starting to develop their own interests, so you can start to tailor their book rotation accordingly. Look for books about their favorite topics and authors.
9-11-year-olds are becoming more independent readers, so you can give them more control over their book rotation. Let them choose the books that they want to read and rotate the books less frequently.
12-14 years – Look for books that are relevant to their interests and that are challenging but not too difficult.
15-18-year-olds are often busy with school and extracurricular activities, so it can be difficult to get them to read for fun. Book rotation can help by making reading more convenient and enjoyable. Put out a selection of books that your child is likely to be interested in and rotate the books regularly.