How to Create a Snazzy Home Learning Space
Even though your kids have been back in school for months, it’s still important to remember that learning doesn’t take place exclusively within the four walls of their school. Your school-age children will have plenty of homework and opportunities to reinforce what they are learning, so they will need a good space at your house to be able to get some work done.
Here, Mommies Reviews shares a few ideas on how to get started setting that space up.
Lighting
While it’s probably not the first thing you might think of, a good source of light for your learning area is essential. Natural light is best, but Students.org notes you should also include at least a couple of well-placed lighting fixtures such as an overhead light or a desk lamp. If things are bright and cheery instead of dim and gloomy, the kids will be more likely to stay engaged and not be easily distracted–or even worse, fall asleep!
Location
Make sure your students will be happy with the location of their learning space. While good lighting is key, you don’t want to put a desk in the middle of a high-traffic area just for the light.The tv, siblings who want to play, and the great outdoors will be too much of a distraction. The best learning spaces may be in a bedroom, basement or den where a little privacy can go a long way. If you have to put your learning area in a shared family space, you may need to implement some family quiet time rules so kids can work without distraction. Consider dividing the room with a curtain or portable wall to help create a space dedicated to learning and studious behavior.
Supplies
Your kids won’t be able to learn well without the proper supplies to help them complete assignments. Make sure you stock up on pencils, pens, markers, paper, erasers, colored pencils, glue, crayons, scissors, and whatever else might be necessary. As blogger Fun With Mama points out, a few labeled containers or bins might be helpful to keep things neat and organized. Your kids will work better in a space that is clean and neat instead of messy and cluttered.
Personalize It
Your kids will take ownership of the space more naturally if you let them add their own touches. They can make signs with their name on them, and you can add some of their artwork to the walls. Think about allowing your children to choose new wallpaper for their new study space–as long as it is not too busy or otherwise distracting.
They could also decorate the supply containers with their artwork, and they could designate a corner of a bookshelf for themselves if they are sharing with siblings. This will let them feel like they have something to call their own without making you create an entirely separate space for each kid.
If you’re planning to move in the foreseeable future, keep prospective buyers in mind when it comes to decorating the learning space. Make sure your kids’ personalization isn’t permanent, as you’ll want house hunters to envision the same space as a space they may turn into an office area, play area, or anything else to their liking. Use neutral color schemes and keep the decor flexible. Come appraisal time, forward-thinking upgrades may increase your home’s value while also increasing your child’s learning power.
Reading Nook
As part of your learning space, you would do well to create a distraction-free reading nook where your kids can read as long as they want. This doesn’t have to be a large or fancy area, but it does have a few requirements to be effective. You need good lighting, of course, which will likely be in the form of a lamp. Because your kids could be there for several hours at a time, the nook should also be comfortable with a few giant pillows or bean bags to lie on.
Privacy is important as well. The nook doesn’t have to be completely enclosed, but it should block out the outside world to some degree so students can focus on their books. You should also make sure there’s a little space or shelf with extra books on them; that way, there are always a few books waiting for someone to read them.
Creating a Learning Space for the Whole Family
Are there others learning in your household? With the proliferation of online learning programs, many adults are choosing to go back to school and earn their degree. These programs typically offer flexible learning options so busy parents can still focus on caring for their families while they learn. If you or your spouse are returning to school, you can design a larger learning space to accommodate everyone in the family. You may need to add multiple desks and an extra outlet to ensure you all can learn at the same time.
A comfortable, well-used space will do wonders for your kids’ confidence and ability to get schoolwork done at home. Even when space in your home is limited, following the tips above will be a great start. Enjoy helping your kids learn!
Photo from Pexels.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
