With the ongoing pandemic and abrupt holidays for kids in some countries, now is an excellent time to begin making preparations for what may be the most crucial number of school seasons your child will ever experience.
While you may not know what the specific situation will be in your country in terms of school reopening, you can be confident that some form of distance learning will be used. What’s the greatest method to get ready for it? Improve your learning environment at home. This article aims to inform you of the various steps necessary for setting up a workspace for your children this working season.
Setup Ideas
- Lining Up the Setup
You may create a single homework zone for numerous children using a free wall and mounted shelves. Give each youngster their own shelf so that there is no question about who owns what.
- Collaborate With Them
Give your child a voice by allowing them to make decisions. While some more easily distracted children may appreciate a workstation in their room, most preschoolers and elementary-age children want to be near you so you can answer questions and keep them on target. Consider turning an underutilized dining room into classroom space.
Having a separate space allows children to enter a distinct mindset, allowing them to arrive ready to focus. Do you need somewhere to set up but don’t have a spare room? Experts think it won’t be a problem. Repurpose a space under the stairs, add a small table in the family room, or designate a section of the kitchen.
- Keep it Tidy
We’ve all seen how fast a kids’ area can become buried in worksheets, arts and crafts, or slime tubs. However, the more cluttered the desktop is, the more difficult it will be for your child to concentrate. Papers and art supplies should be kept in bins in a cabinet or on a shelf nearby. To keep the sorting method going, use labels or clear containers.
Allow children to reach for frequently used objects such as pencils from a desktop organizer or buckets from a rail over the desk. A whiteboard can be used to post reminders and a calendar.
- Body Positioning Considerations
Your youngster may appear to be at ease lying on his bed, but an ergonomic arrangement is essential for proper posture and the development of writing abilities. They have to work more if they don’t have a good body position when writing, and you’re more likely to observe untidy handwriting. The desk should be at or slightly below your child’s resting elbow height when he or she is sitting. The feet should be planted firmly on the ground.
Adjustable or child-size tables and chairs are ideal, although adult tables and chairs can also be hacked. Lay a pillow on the chair’s seat and the other behind his back to propel him forward until his knees are about 2 inches in front of the chair. After that, place a box on the floor for leg support.
- Transform a Corner
You don’t even need a stunning view or exquisite drapes to pull it off. To make it comfortable enough to cuddle up with an iPad or book, fluff up some floor cushions. Buy and add a sconce or even a neon light custom-made, battery-powered tap light if there isn’t any natural light from a window.
- Get Rid of the Distractions
They’re all over your house, starting with your student’s younger sister. Separate siblings’ workstations with a tall bookcase if they’re having problems sharing a space. Prop up trifold boards, tabletop screens you can buy or make yourself out of a cardboard box if they’re seated at the same table. If the younger sibling is a wandering toddler, a baby gate may be the ideal option.
A white-noise machine or a fan will drown the background sounds from a big bro’s ear-crushing game playing. Noise-canceling headphones are useful, especially for students who like to study while listening to music. Keep it instrumental because studies show that songs with lyrics hurt focus.
- Minimalistic Designing
You have more alternatives for squeezing in your study location if you use space-saving equipment like a lean desk or shelves. It’ll also free up space for a very fantastic chair, ideal for reclining while catching up on your bedtime reading.
- Maximize on your Resources
Do you have to live in cramped quarters? A little workstation can be made out of a side table in a corridor. Desks that are mounted on the wall save space. You can also use the floor with the wall acting as the back support.
To provide your child with a writing surface, use a tray table with legs. (In fact, according to ergonomics experts, the floor is a better option than the couch!) Pack a caddy or a rolling cart with goods and keep it in a kitchen cupboard if your kitchen table or counter will be doing double duty.
- Consider Several Study Spaces
Many experts advise having many learning spaces in your house, such as a desk for focused study, a dining table for projects, and a quiet nook for reading. Children, like adults, benefit from taking breaks, switching positions, and changing scenery now and again. According to studies, studying in a variety of settings improves a student’s ability to absorb and remember information.
Conclusion
Parenting can be a challenge especially in this time that you have to be both the learning and fun coordinator. However, you do need to ensure the children are well set up for each of these activities.
Setting up study spaces for kids may take up extra time, space, and financial resources that you might not have at the moment. However, there must be an extra tool, table, chair, or even garage space that you can spare for this project. Do go through the above-stated considerations before you make the final decision. All the best and happy parenting!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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