I love home decorating books. I just picked up one called The Family at Home: Love. Life. Style. Although not intentionally about print rich environments, I found, to my surprise, many, many ideas for a print rich home. My Children's Librarian heart jumped for joy at this early literacy as home decorating manifest. And IT'S EASY TO DO at home: in a child's bedroom or elsewhere around the house!
Print rich environments have been linked to success in getting ready to read. Read this U.S. Department of Education slide show on print rich environments, if you want to know more about the research. By having print, words and letters all over your home (starting when your child is an infant) you can build interest in reading, phonological awareness, letter knowledge without even trying.
Here are some ideas for decorating your home with print:
- Labels for everyday things around the house.
- Bulletin boards, poems, calendars, charts, maps can decorate your child's room.
- Magnetic letters on your fridge or a magnetic board in your child's room.
- Your child's name stenciled or displayed in craft store letters.
- Chalkboard paint on a wall or door will allow your child (and you!) to write on the walls!
- Alphabet posters: buy one or make your own.
And don't forget the books!
Books for your child and also books for you. Modeling a reading life is one of the best ways to build a print rich environment.
