4 Tips for Creating a Productive Study Space for Kids

If you’re a parent of a school-age child, or school-age children, your home probably will need to accommodate some distance learning when the new school year starts. For some households, spring became a frantic last-minute scramble to adjust to sheltering and schooling at home. For fall, you might want to spend time thoughtfully planning and setting up a more effective remote-learning environment that works for your entire family.

1. Functional Desk

“It is important to remember that no matter how big or small the space you designate for schoolwork, you need to establish a routine and a specific place to go every day,” interior designer Karri Bowen-Poole of Smart Playrooms says. Having a specific desk, work surface or table in your home for schoolwork will help add structure to the day and week for your child and entire family.

2. Comfortable Seating

A comfortable chair or other seat for your child is high on the must-have list for a successful study space and suggest comfortable padded seats. Adding an extra one for a parent or other adult is best, in case that person needs to assist with homework.

3. Practical Storage and Organization System

As the school year progresses, the amount of projects and assignments to keep track of will grow. Bins, shallow boxes, stackable trays and art caddies are all great options that can be easily moved around as needed. Add a magnetic chalkboard or dry-erase board close to a child’s desk. This visualization tool will help kids plan and complete their assignments, and will provide a central place to display reminders or jot down learning tips, like multiplication facts.

4. Good Lighting

The right lighting helps kids stay focused and can protect their eyes. Task lighting is a must-have, and will be especially important when the sun sets earlier in the fall and winter. And consider adding a wall sconce to provide even more light.

(excerpted from Houzz.com)