It’s always great to have a spot for your kids to study, but now it may be needed more than ever. The current situation with Covid-19 has led to homeschooling and for that children need a designated space. This shouldn’t be an expensive circumstance since you already may have everything you need so all you have to do is strategise and get creative. It’s not all been a negative experience, there have been many Lockdown Silver Linings.
To help with that, here are 6 essentials that will give you a learning-friendly home study space.
1. Think of the perfect location
Everything depends on finding the perfect location for the home study space. Think of it as a place where your kids can do their homework and study without distractions and with enough privacy. If you have a spare room or a basement, consider using that space to create a learning-friendly environment. However, not everyone is blessed with such a space and it’s not going to ruin your plans. A spot in your living room, bedroom, or balcony can be enough for your kids to be productive and diligent. Just make sure there are no noises to distract them, like traffic or laundry area.
2. Create the best lighting
Ideally, placing a home study space by the window would give you a lot of advantages of natural light. It boosts productivity, creativity, and alertness so your kids will be more concentrated on their school work. Unfortunately, this may not be an option for everyone but there is still something you can do to create favourable lighting conditions. The most important thing is that artificial light doesn’t come from one direction to avoid creating shadows. Bulbs emitting white light are simulating sunlight and will help your kids stay productive the same way a study space by the window would.
3. Equip the study space with what they need
Your kids will spend considerable time studying, so you need to get them ergonomic chairs and appropriate desks for their posture. When it comes to electronic devices, chances are you already have that type of equipment in your home. A tablet or laptop may be enough, just make sure you have a good view of their workstations to prevent them from watching videos and playing games instead of learning. You can even install whiteboard or chalkboard wallpaper to use it to explain to them a maths problem or anything else they need.
4. Share your home office
It may seem like an unpractical thing to do, however placing a study space in your home office can be a perfect arrangement for your family. Seeing you concentrated on work will inspire your kids to focus on their homework and studying. To make sure you have peace and quiet, use an office chair mat to eliminate squeaking noises when your kids move or get up from their desks. This is also a great way to keep an eye on your kids and make sure they are finishing their schoolwork. Also, you are close by to help them if they don’t understand something or need their assignments checked.
5. Create enough storage space
Getting a desk with drawers is always a good idea so your kids can use them as storage and keep the surface clutter-free. A shelf above the desk will be a great spot for books, notebooks, and pads. However, if you have small kids who can’t reach that high, install short shelves by the desk. In case you have a limited amount of space, buy a box for each child to store their things and put under the desks. Also, don’t forget some on-desk storage for pens, scissors, brushes, and other smaller things.
6. Don’t let the size of the space scare you
Even the smallest space can become a wonderful home study area. Fixing a counter to the wall in a hallway can give you enough desk space especially if you add filing cabinets for storage. A floating desk in the nook will turn unused space into a workstation for your kid. Even a simple board on the wall can serve as a spot to study if you add comfortable chairs and good lighting.
The bottom line
Creating a learning-friendly home study space is one of the most important things you can do for your kids during this pandemic. Not only will it help to continue their education, but also provide them with a sense of normalcy. It is also a nice way for parents to relieve some stress and worry from their days.