Parents, you don’t have to wait for exams to appear on the horizon to create a great study space for your children. A secluded and calming corner can be created in any home to help a child concentrate on homework, revision or even craftwork and other play activities.
However important examinations require a strong focus from any student and setting up the best study area possible will really help your child to complete coursework and to revise.
The following are some helpful tips for creating the perfect study space in your home:
Choosing a good spot
Even in a small apartment there will always be a good place to set up a desk; a position in front of a bedroom window can be calming and help a child focus, but so can a snug corner in a kitchen. Be inventive: even cupboard space can be turned into the perfect study room: set the lowest shelf at the perfect height for a desk and use the rest for books and utensils.
Make sure your child is comfortable
Everyone needs to be sitting comfortably when they are working, and students are no exception, especially when they are revising for hours at a time. Your child needs a comfortable chair that keeps their back straight and a computer screen set at the right eye level, to avoid back ache.
Good lighting is important
Along with avoiding aches and pains to a small body, it’s also important not to put any additional strain on your child’s eyes. Therefore, it is essential that their learning space is well lit, either by natural light or with well positioned artificial lighting ideally fitted with traditional incandescent bulbs, LED or halogen bulbs.
A study area can be nice!
Think about how to make the desk or study area as nice as it possibly can be. You can add little touches that are personal to your little one, such as introducing their favorite colors where possible, putting up a fun or inspiring poster, and buying useful but decorative pen holders and files.
When study space is in a shared bedroom
When children are sharing one bedroom then set clear guidelines as to when which areas are designated for study and play! If the study desk is in the bedroom then make sure non revising kids are consigned to the living area, kitchen or garden!
Set up a mobile station
Make sure phones are left in a designated spot before a child heads off to study, this will reduce the temptation of checking for messages during a concentrated revision session.
Avoid mess, get organized
Teach your child to keep their study area as tidy as possible and to organize their notebooks, pens and devices every day to ensure they are clutter free and ready to start work with a clear desk. Make sure they have shelves, draws or useful boxes where they can store everything they need to work with are always close to hand.
Distractions: sounds & siblings
Minimizing all possible distractions during study time is one of the most helpful things you can do for any of your children. Make sure noisy siblings don’t play loud music or issue invitations to play a favorite video game, that the television is turned off if it’s in the same room, and the dog is not barking at the neighbors.
For more tips or questions, please contact our Student Services Department and make an appointment with Ms. Diane Sisson, Middle School Counselor & DSL, or Ms. Maria Bibler, High School Counselor.
