Displaying Books for Preschoolers

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall."

                                                                                           — Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

You may not throw the TV away, but there's no reason you shouldn't have a book display. One of the easiest ways to get your preschooler interested in books and reading is to create a display for books. This is an essential in any preschool classroom but takes a little effort  in your home or home day care.

1. Find a some-what secluded area. 
2. Gather as many different kinds of books as you can.
3. Store them on a small shelf, shoe rack, or crate facing forward. 
   If you have to use a crate leave enough space so the fronts of the books are visible. 
4. Provide books related to the season, theme or event in the child(ren)s life. 
5. Change out books accordingly, leave the favorite books to be read again and again.

      
After I wrote this post one of my Anonymous readers suggested I check out book slings.
If you're feeling pretty crafty you should check out "book slings" too. They seem fairly easy, fun and you can customize them too.

Head over to Penny Carnival to get instructions on making a book sling.

I also found some great display ideas at

  Chic & Cheap Nursery. 

A Preschool Hideaway: My Own Space

In your classroom there should always be a place for children to "escape". Some teachers refer to this as the "quite area" or "cozy corner". In our class there is a little corner between our cots and library that the students have designated on their own as their "hideaway". Yes, we have a designated "quiet area" but this is something quite different. This is a place to be secretive, to drag toys, to hide dolls, to talk to yourself, or to create with a friend. In the beginning, I used to discourage their quaint little space since it was by the back door (which we never use) and if they ducked down, it was hard for me to monitor their activities. However, each day one, two, sometimes three students would squeeze in the space and they seemed to be having the best time ever! Obviously, they really loved the space and I really love them so I strategically position myself near the space so I can monitor them and the whole class and we're as a happy as a school family can be.

If there's not enough space in your classroom for a hideaway, You can always create one. Here's a few ideas to get you started. 

Place two chairs far enough apart that a sheet will fit over them both. Fold the sheet back enough that you can still see inside. 

This little hideaway I created outside, using small chairs. 

I used clothes pins to secure the sheet. 

This big one I created inside using adult sized folding chairs. 

The clothes pins are secured under the backs of the chairs. 

And, this cute little structure was abandoned outside a church on the curb. I was more than happy to take it off their hands. It's made from PVC pipe. I keep it at my house, but I will occasionally bring to school to use as a hideaway. 

Happy Hideaway!

What the heck is age-appropriate anyway?

I walked into a 2-year old classroom today and there were four bean bags. How adorable and soft they looked. They were strategically placed in a semi-circle as if a group of students would gather there at any moment. Fortunately, someone else picked them up to inspect the tags. The tags were clearly marked for 13 and up! Yikes! Once we squeezed the bags we realized the filling inside was small pieces of some foam-like material. If the bag was punctured a young child could easily choke on these small pieces. Fortunately for us, we don't have any students. Age-appropriate refers to materials, toys, videos, games and even furniture. Remember to read labels and instructions before introducing new items to your children.