Analysis of Parent-Child Interaction at Various Space and Furniture of Reading Environment—Take Parent-Child Reading Areas in Taipei Public Libraries as an Example

Abstract

Different reading environment affects parent-child interaction, joint reading time and reading posture. The research is based on the example of parent-child reading areas in Taipei public libraries. We visited eight Taipei public libraries in person, analyzing pros and cons of space and furniture arrangement with mandatory of “Learning Environments for Young Children” as well as recording parent-child reading behavior at varied environments with Nonparticipant Observation Method. After evaluation and analysis of the research, we found two aspects to be improved which are library space and furniture arrangement—furniture lack of containing space and space lack of artistic display and decoration. Through parent-child reading interaction, the result of analyzing relations between environment and behavior is that the design of soundproof space is too confined and that massive bookshelves cause pressure on children attracting no child to enter the area. Diversified reading chairs may increase intention of parent-child reading. Making good use of children-related subject in interior design helps arouse parents and children’s interests in coming. Switching to different reading environments and books every 10 min may prolong the duration of reading. The common parent-child reading posture is sideways sitting. The seating designed especially for parent-child reading may increase the comfort of reading and duration of reading.