A good reading corner costs little and changes a child's relationship with books. The secret: put everything at their height, show few books, and take care of the comfort. Here's how to do it, step by step.
Put books at child height
The heart of a Montessori reading corner is the front-facing bookshelf: the books are displayed cover-facing towards the child, at their eye level. They see the pictures, choose on their own, take and tidy up without help. Unlike a classic shelf where books are stored spine-out, invisible and out of reach.
Show few, refresh often
Less is more. Display no more than 5 to 8 books and do a rotation every one to two weeks. The child isn't overwhelmed, and rediscovering a title put away a few weeks earlier revives their interest.
- 5 to 8 books visible at a time.
- Regular rotation from a reserve.
- Adapt the selection to the season or the moment (sleep, potty training, emotions).
Comfort: rug, light, quiet
Mark out a cosy space: a rug, a cushion or a small armchair, near a source of natural light. The corner should be quiet, away from the main traffic, and make you want to settle in.
The reading corner checklist
- A low front-facing bookshelf (at eye level).
- A comfortable rug and a cushion / small seat.
- Soft light, natural if possible.
- A storage box for the rotation (e.g. Ely'Box).
- Few visual distractions around.
Bringing the reading corner to life
Read with the child at a regular time, let them turn the pages, tell the story your own way. Involve them in tidying up: putting a book back in its place is part of the pleasure. The stories from our world The Adventures of Ely are designed for those evening moments.
Elysta furniture
Our front-facing bookshelves and storage are made from healthy wood in Andenne, at child height, to make reading accessible and independent.
Frequently asked questions
What is a front-facing bookshelf?
A bookshelf that displays books cover-facing towards the child, at their eye level, so they can choose and tidy up on their own.
How many books should you display?
5 to 8 at a time, with a regular rotation. Too much choice discourages; scarcity revives the desire.
From what age a reading corner?
As soon as the child grasps objects (around 9-12 months) with board books, then you enrich it with age.
