As parents, we often get that sigh and exasperated expression from our children, when we mention schoolwork to them at home. This reaction tends to stem from a number of factors such as their designated study space. Indeed the study space of our children can be more cluttered than a squirrel’s winter stash. Or perhaps, we didn’t even create a designated study space for our kids to do their schoolwork. But we loose sight of this fact due to various factors. Worry not, fellow parents!  Mind Smith has got you covered with this educative and informative post.

In case you are wondering what we do at Mind Smith, our core focus is to provide full time online education to children. We do this by provide group live classes as well as one-on-one special classes across all subjects. So, if you need a platform and educational brand that is dedicated towards exceptional educational experience for children, Mind Smith is the right place to go. Our curriculum covers all subjects in WAEC, IGCSE and BECE. What’s more? Your children can learn with us regardless of the location they are in. So, if you are the type who changes location frequently, but you don’t want your child’s education to be disturbed, then bring them to Mind Smith.

That said, let’s get to the core focus of this blog post. How you can help your child focus more on their schoolwork through a calm and organized study space. There are some factors you should put into consideration when you are trying to create an organized environment for your child’s schoolwork. These factors include the following:

Location

The first step is choosing the right location. However, when choosing the right location, here are some key considerations for you to follow:

Peaceful and Quiet: It is always a good idea to minimize distractions for your child when they are attending to their schoolwork. This helps to create an ambience for them where they are able to focus on the schoolwork they are solving. You can do this by opting for a serene corner in your house that is secluded from noisy areas like the living room or kitchen.

Natural Light:  Another location factor you should consider when creating a quiet haven for your child’s schoolwork at home is natural light. As much as possible, prioritize a space with ample natural light. The reason for this is because natural light not only improves mood but also reduces eye strain during long study sessions. A study space with natural light at home will help to improve your child’s focus on their schoolwork.

Accessibility: The third but equally important factor you should consider when choosing the right study space at home for your child is accessibility. It is important you ensure that your child can easily get to their study space at any time and from any location within the house. This will help minimize discouragement for them whenever they need to attend to their schoolwork.

Having discussed the locational factors to help create an ideal study space at home for your child, let us get to other factors in creating this study space for your child’s schoolwork.

Furnishing for Function

Once you’ve chosen the location, it’s time to think about furniture. Your child’s study space at home should have the right furniture. In choosing the ideal furniture, you should ensure that you don’t provide anything that can distract your child while they are attending to their schoolwork. You should also provide everything they need so they don’t have to leave their study space in the middle of attending to their schoolwork. Generally, you can follow these guides below when deciding on the ideal furnishings at home for your child’s schoolwork.

The Perfect Desk: Invest in a sturdy and well-sized desk that provides ample work surface area for your child. In choosing the perfect desk for your child’s schoolwork, you should consider your child’s body stature and the size of the study room. The perfect desk should not inconvenience your child while attending to their schoolwork. It should also allow for extra space to move around after the desk fits into the room. Adjustable desks can be great for growing children.

Supportive Seating: Another important item of furnishing at home for your child’s study space is a supportive seating. This is an ideal complementary furniture to the perfect desk. You should provide a comfortable and ergonomic chair with proper back support for your child’s study space. This is crucial for maintaining good posture and preventing fatigue for your child especially, during their extended study sessions.

Storage Solutions: You should also furnish your child’s study space with an ideal storage solution such as: shelves, drawers, or organizers. This will serve as an effective solution for keeping their study items neatly stored and readily accessible. Some of these study items include: textbooks, notebooks, and school supplies. With this storage solution, organization becomes easy for your child.

Organization is Key

When it comes to organization, it can be described as a very important factor in choosing a study space at home for your child. A well-organized study space promotes clarity and reduces distractions. Here are some tips for creating a well organized study space for your child’s schoolwork:

Designated Zones: Create designated zones for different activities in your child’s study space. You can do this by creating separate storage solutions for each of their schoolwork items. For instance, a section for textbooks, a spot for current school projects, and a drawer for miscellaneous supplies. On the flip side, it is possible that the study space isn’t large enough to accommodate different storage solutions. In this case, you can create a single storage solution with demarcations. For instance, a shelf can be demarcated into separate sections to accommodate each separate aspects of your child’s study pack.

Label Everything: Another important factor in creating an organized study room for your child’s schoolwork is labelling. Ensure that you label each and every section of your child’s designated zones. Use clear labels for shelves, drawers, and containers. You can label each demarcated section for cases where only one storage solution is available. This makes it easy for your child to find what they need quickly and efficiently.

Declutter Regularly: Oftentimes, your child may no longer need some of their study items. This can be because they changed classes. Some items that may require removal include: textbooks, notebooks, blunt sharpeners, and broken rulers. Generally, schedule regular decluttering sessions to remove unused items and keep your child’s study space tidy.

Ambience for Focus

The overall atmosphere is also an important factor you should consider when creating the right study space at home for your child’s schoolwork. The right ambience refers to the feel your child gets when they enter their study room. For instance, your child should not feel depressed whenever they enter their study room. Some of the factors that can impact ambience of your child’s study space include: the room colour, and lighting. Let us look at some of these factors in clearer detail.

Calming Colors: The paint colour of your child’s study space impacts their mood when they enter. Because of this, you should opt for colors that promote focus and relaxation. Some good examples include: light blues, greens, and neutral colours. These colours will help your child settle in without getting distracted.

Lighting Control: The illumination in your child’s study space also impacts their mood. As a result, the lighting in the room should be adjustable to provide adequate illumination as required. This is ideal for reading and writing while minimizing eye strain for your child.

Minimize Distractions: Remove electronics like TVs or game consoles from the study area. These items can easily cause distractions for your child. If your child needs a computer for schoolwork, consider parental controls to limit distractions from social media or games.

Nature’s Touch: It can be helpful to add a slight touch of natural effects in your child’s study space. Adding a small potted plant or a nature picture can create a calming and refreshing atmosphere.

Personalize and Motivate

You child should feel like the study space is for them, not someone else. A touch of personalization can make the study space feel more inviting to your child. Here are some ideas you can implement:

Inspirational Quotes: Hang inspirational quotes or posters that resonate with your child. You can ask your child for their favorite quotes so you don’t get it wrong.

Artwork and Photos: You can also display artwork they’ve created, photos of loved ones, or other motivational visuals. This is especially helpful if your child is an art lover.

Reward System: Create a simple visual reward system where they can track their progress and celebrate achievements. A board for recording their study progress can help in this instance.

Remember:

Involve Your Child: Get your child’s input when setting up the study space. This fosters a sense of ownership and encourages them to take pride in their dedicated learning zone.

Prioritize Comfort: While organization is important, ensure the space is comfortable enough for your child to spend extended study times.

Flexibility Matters: Needs might change as your child grows. Be prepared to adjust the layout or furniture as necessary over time.

By creating a calm, organized, and personalized study space, you’re setting your child up for success. It’s a space where they can focus, learn, and grow. Remember, at Mind Smith, we believe in fostering a love of learning in every child. Let’s create a foundation for academic achievement that starts at home!

Bonus Tip:

Establish routines for using the study space. Dedicate specific times for homework completion or studying for tests. Consistency will help your child develop good study habits and maximize their productivity.