How to and Why Develop Reading Corner for Children at Home

Reading stories to children should begin even before they're born. Recognising the immense importance of reading together, this topic took centre stage at a Parenting Awareness Workshop held in a village in Jayapura Regency, Papua. The workshop highlighted the numerous benefits that reading brings to children, including: 

• Strengthening the parent-child bond 

• Developing listening and communication skills 

• Enhancing cognitive and language development 

• Boosting IQ, imagination, and creativity 

• Expanding vocabulary* 

After learning about these positive impacts, parents in Jayapura Regency became acutely aware of the importance of teaching their children to read. "I have three children, and I want them to be able to read before they start school," said Margareta. Facilitated by Wahana Visi Indonesia, this initiative aims to improve early reading comprehension among children in Papua, starting in their own homes. 

Creating a Cozy Reading Corner 

Parents can easily become their children's first reading teachers at home. One simple way to do this is by creating a reading corner. Not only does a reading corner offer a comfortable space for reading, but it can also boost reading interest and serve as an attractive addition to any home. 

To create a cozy reading corner for both children and parents, consider these tips: 

• Choose a quiet spot: Find a corner where children can focus without distractions. 

• Provide comfortable seating: A small table for books is a good idea. 

• Ensure proper lighting: Use a reading lamp or natural light. 

• Add decorations: Decorate the corner with interesting pictures that spark children's curiosity. 

• Invest in a bookshelf: If possible, have a bookshelf to store children's books. 

Papua's Reading Corners Boost Children's Literacy 

"I'm keen to create a reading corner at home because I didn't know what one was before attending the Parenting Awareness Workshop," said Margareta. "Now I understand. My aim is to create a reading corner that will benefit my children. For example, my children helped me create the reading corner and, in doing so, they learned to arrange the letters I had made to put up,” she continued. 

Margareta has become a role model for other parents in her village. She has successfully created a reading corner at home to support her children's literacy development. "Now, my five and seven-year-old children know the alphabet, can recognise sizes and objects around them, and are starting to read fluently because I've been teaching them using the reading corner we created together at home," Margareta explained. 

For Margareta, a stay-at-home mother with only a high school diploma, the workshop was invaluable. "I learned a lot about when children should start learning to read based on their age and what other activities I can do besides creating a reading corner, such as reading stories to my children and reading stories together," she said. 

Let's Read Together Now 

Following in the footsteps of Margareta and other parents in Papua, let's make reading an integral part of our family lives. Let's invite our children to explore the world through books. By reading together, we not only cultivate a love of reading in our children but also strengthen our emotional bonds. Books are windows to the world that open our minds and imaginations. Let's start our reading adventures together today! 

*Source: https://parenting.co.id/balita/10-manfaat-membacakan-buku-untuk-anak-sejak-dini 

This Parenting Awareness Workshop is part of the SEEDS (Supporting Early Education and Development Success) project. Funded by Nomura in partnership with World Vision Singapore, this project will be implemented over 18 months in two areas of Jayapura Regency, Papua. 

Author: Arlien Hetharie (SEEDS project staff in Jayapura District, Papua) 

Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)