📚 The Reading Corner in the Montessori Infant Community

In the Infant Community environment (18 to 36 months), every detail is thoughtfully designed to accompany the child in their holistic development. One of the most special areas within the classroom is the reading corner: a calm, welcoming, and beautifully arranged space where young children can approach books freely and naturally.

🌿 A Space Prepared with Intention

In keeping with the Montessori philosophy, this is an environment carefully prepared to nurture curiosity, concentration, and a love of books.
Books are displayed on low shelves, with their covers facing outward, so that the children can independently choose the one that most captures their interest. Every element is within their reach, encouraging independence and respect for the materials.

The space often includes a soft rug, cushions or a small armchair, natural light, and a limited number of books selected with both aesthetic and pedagogical care. The beauty and order of the environment invite the child to pause, observe, and enjoy reading peacefully.

📖 First Encounters with the Written Word

Between 18 and 36 months, children go through a period of intense language development. Books become an endless source of vocabulary, imagery, and emotion.
Through shared reading with the adult, the child hears new words, broadens their understanding of the world, and develops the ability to listen and concentrate.

Short stories, realistic illustrations, and books depicting everyday life are the most suitable at this stage. At Mountain Peak Montessori School, we prioritise materials that reflect reality, helping the child to build a clear and authentic understanding of their surroundings.

💬 The Adult as Guide and Role Model

The role of the adult in this space is fundamental. It is not about teaching the child to read, but rather about sharing the pleasure of reading.
When the adult sits with the child, they demonstrate respect by speaking softly, turning the pages carefully, and naming what they see with precision. This quiet example teaches far more than any instruction: it teaches the child to love books.

🌱 A Refuge for Imagination and Calm

The reading corner also serves an emotional purpose. It is a small refuge within the environment — a place where the child can withdraw, focus, or reconnect with themselves. In moments of restlessness or tiredness, many children spontaneously choose to sit and look at a book, finding in reading a sense of serenity.

✨ Nurturing a Love of Books from an Early Age

From this small corner, great learning begins. Daily contact with books lays the foundations for a love of reading and intellectual curiosity.
At Mountain Peak Montessori School, reading is not a task, but a free, beautiful, and deeply human experience.