5 Tips for Creating The Perfect Study Space
Getting your little scholars in an after-school homework groove isn’t always easy. Why not make a study space that feels a little more enjoyable? You don’t have to devote a ton of space or spend much to make an academic haven that’s worth hitting the books.
Make It Inviting and Comfortable
Think about how your kids best like to learn. Are they traditional desk and chair types or beanbag loving loungers? Neither one is better or worse than the other. It’s all about creating a comfortable environment that is ultimately conducive to effective studying. Proper lighting is also key – a dark room isn’t necessarily an inviting room. Open the blinds for some natural rays and supplement with task lighting in particularly dim areas.
Stock Up
Save time and energy by gathering all the necessary school supplies and making them available right up front. Have your kids brainstorm on what they need and put together a comprehensive inventory. Giving them ownership of the process will go a long way toward improving their mindset.
Keep it Organized
Have more than one child? Bins and shelves that keep books and supplies separate and organized can be a godsend. There is nothing worse than listening to squabbles over who used the last glue stick or whose pencil is whose.
Be Available
Relegating your kids to a far away space such as a quiet basement or a secluded bedroom to tackle their schoolwork may seem like a good choice. No distractions, right? However, school-age kids often need some adult guidance to get organized and stay on task. It’s nice to have them close-by to field questions and make sure progress is actually being made.
Limit Distractions
Are your wee ones easily distracted? And, let’s face it, in this day and age, there are plenty of bright, shiny things competing for their attention. While mobile technology can be a blessing and a curse, it seems only sensible to monitor its use, especially in a study space. Of course, many educational apps and mobile software actually help kids learn. So, in the latter case, encouraging kids to use their devices to study might make a lot of sense. Nothing is ever black and white, especially when it comes to parenting.
Debbie Fales has written about education and specifically, ed tech, for the past 5 years. She is currently the Communications and Marketing Director for gWhiz LLC, a software development company that believes that the marriage of education and technology is redefining learning and changing lives. She is also the busy parent of two teenagers and a tween.
