I was trying to remember when A actually started sitting down and trying to read books for herself...I realized that a couple of months ago I bought her this little popup tent, sort of like a circus tent but only about 36 inches in diameter (~92 cm for those of you with more consistent units of measurement
) I bought it as a method of teaching A to calm down if she gets upset. Not a time out spot, but a place where she can go to be by herself and chill...it has flaps to close, we filled it with blankets and pillows she picked out, and a handful of new books she also picked out...Mommy and Daddy have to be invited in...
We started calling it her reading tent, and I even sewed a little 'reading tent' flag or the top with her name...so she disappears inside and reads...I think that without anyone noticing her or interfering, she discovered that she WANTED to do it...
We also gave her a small head torch (because I didn't want her looking directly into a flashlight!) that we allow her to take with her to bed. She is 'allowed' to choose a 'super-special' book to take to bed with her each night, and she always insists that it should be two (I pretend to pout, give her an exaggerated sigh like she is pulling one over on me, and give in
)
I look at these as 'stuffed animals for her brain' which I once read but don't remember where!
I worried that she would stay up late and not go to sleep, but it has not happened yet.. 10-15 minutes and she puts them aside and turns out her light...
Anyway, I think that because she has been given the illusion that she is in charge
She has been more excited about it...who knows what will happen when she figures me out!