Whether your kids went back to school or you’re homeschooling this year, you probably already started thinking about a learning space at home. You definitely want to consider grade levels, shared sibling spaces, and whether or not a parent is working remote there too. We don’t all have extra rooms, huge kitchens, or spacious backyards to set up for a home classroom. So don’t get overwhelmed if your home is being taken over by homework and craft projects! You might even miss this when it’s all over.
Here are some tips for a successful learning space at home.
Distractions: Turn the TV off. If your kid has a phone, turn it off. Unless the tablet is being used for school, put that away too. And we’ve all been on a Zoom call where someone’s pet interrupts the call, so you may want to think about banning your family dog from your home classroom.
Pick a place: This can be super challenging depending on the sibling age gap, and if you’re trying to work at home with them too. Older kids can be more independent, but if they don’t already have a designated desk, then now is the time. The last thing you want is your teen trying to work on the sofa or their bed. If you have younger kids, you might want to set them up in a spot where you can keep your eye on them.
Lighting: Lighting is an important part of effective learning spaces. Even if you have enough natural light, you should invest in a good desk lamp for your child’s learning space. There’s some that come with USB charging ports too!
Organize: Kids will use any excuse to get up from their seats. And once they leave the study area, they might forget to come back. Make sure everything they need is in reach: printouts, pens/pencils, paper, chargers, etc. Get a shelf, wall calendar, and some pretty storage bins. Label everything, and don’t forget to write down login credentials to keep close by too!
Don’t sit: Your kid didn’t just sit at a desk all day at school, so don’t let them do it at home either. Mix it up! If you have a yard or patio, try to incorporate that into their learning day too. Create a cozy reading space in a different room or a fun art space that’s not at their usual desk. And if possible, go for a walk after “school.”
1 Cocina de Campo shelf / 2 Periodic Table Wall Art / 3 Lyna Wall Art set / 4 Blue Green Wool Rug / 5 Alfie Table USB Lamp / 6 Brunelle Wall Clock / 7 Country Road Desk / 8 Centiar Desk Chair / 9 Cottage Road Storage Cabinet
