Based on “Building a successful reading culture through the school library: A case study of a Singapore secondary school” by Chin Ee Loh If you want your child to fall in love with reading, just handing them a book is not enough. Build them a world, where reading feels exciting and personal.

In schools and homes alike, we often focus on reading as a skill. However, to raise readers who want to read, we must pay attention to the environment around them.

When reading feels like a welcoming escape instead of a chore, children come back to it again and again. That’s why how you design your child’s reading space makes all the difference in the world. We take inspiration from an interesting case study out of Singapore: ‘Building a Successful Reading Culture through the School Library’, by Chin Ee Loh and colleagues. The study followed how a secondary school in Singapore completely transformed its underused library into a reading hub for students.

Many of the same principles can be used at home, and here are some ways you can use
them:

1. Put the best books where they’ll be seen One of the most effective strategies from the Singapore school’s case study was simply making books visible. Instead of hiding titles on shelves with only the spine exposed, create displays where books are right in front, fully visible. You don’t need to buy any fancy furniture, all you need is a photo stand, wall shelf, or a simple ledge. Create your collection based on what the kids actually enjoy, not what you want them to read. Make sure to refresh it often, even if that just means rotating the books you already own. Surprise creates curiosity.
2. Make it comfortable and not social At the school in the case study, armchairs spaced just far enough apart became the go-to spot for quiet, sustained reading. The space fostered an energy for focus, and relaxation. At home, find a corner that can become your child’s retreat. Add a comfy chair, a beanbag, or a reading tent- Anything that says, ‘this is your place to relax and get lost in a story’. Avoid seating arrangements that face each other. If you want to encourage reading, create side by side seating.
3. Layer in sensory things The Singapore case study showed that even small environmental touches like incense, ambient lighting, and quiet music made the library feel “calm,” “cozy,” and “cool,” according to students. You can recreate this at home with calm lighting, a scented candle, or a soft music playlist during reading time. The key is to make the space feel different from the rest of the house.
4. Create micro zones for different kinds of reading The school library had pods for discussions, bar stools for browsing, and soft armchairs for reading. Think of your home space the same way. While you don’t need to replicate the full library, you can try to offer a small range of options that suit different moods.
   • A small desk for research and homework.
   • A beanbag for comic books and casual reading.
   • A wall shelf with “treasure books”- ones that spark imagination or curiosity.