Every afternoon, a familiar quiet settles over our classrooms. The blocks are put away, the cushions are fluffed, and the children gather in our favorite corner of the room. It’s read-aloud timea simple 15-minute rhythm that has been a cornerstone of the REC experience for 40 years.

Lately, our students have been completely captivated by a rotating selection of picture books, flipping through the pages and eagerly calling out what they think will happen next. In these moments, there’s no pressure or rush to decode letters. Instead, you’ll see children leaning in closely, picking up new words naturally, and discovering that books are something to look forward to.

Even outside of structured group time, our reading corner remains a bustling little hub. It’s built with low, accessible shelves so that during free play, a child can independently pull down a book, sit on a soft pillow, and piece together the story through the illustrations at their own exact pace.

It’s just 15 minutes out of a full day of playing, learning, and outdoor time. But when we show up with that same quiet routine day after day, it quietly builds a foundation that sticks with them long after they graduate.