Whether children get a little or a lot of homework, one thing’sfor sure – they all respond differently to it. Some children relish the idea whilst others are not so keen. All children have different learning styles as this prep school in Surrey says – they each need encouragement in different ways so that they can thrive and grow.
All children need a calm, pleasant study space at home. To provide them with a private space in which they can think and do their revision and homework is a vital part of being a supportive parent.
Many children complete their work on the kitchen table which isn’t ideal. There are so many distractions happening at any one time in a normal family home that working in this way will result in a frazzled child and poorly done work.
What does the ideal study space include? Here’s a checklist to help you as you set up your child’s own area:• A quiet room. This is the most vital part of the space. Not all homes have a spare room or study but many do have a quieter corner or even a sunroom which can double-up as a study area. Think outside the box. Can that area beneath the stairs be utilised? What about that large cupboard? Yes, even a cupboard can become a sort of study-cubby if the door is removed.• A good desk. Depending on your child’s age and size, a good desk should be large enough for them to use a laptop or PC and have some text books spread out. Provide them with pen containers and good quality paper. If they are studying art, then they will need a good drawing desk and probably an easel too.• A comfortable chair. This is the most important aspect of your child’s study space. Never expect your child to work on a hard kitchen chair or even worse, on a soft armchair. Both will cause them to slump and may give them back problems. Good posture is vital when sitting for prolonged periods.• A good routine. Encourage your child to study at the same time each day. This helps them to get into the habit and when their body and mind are accustomed to studying at the same time each day, it will become less of a chore.
Many children complete their work on the kitchen table which isn’t ideal. There are so many distractions happening at any one time in a normal family home that working in this way will result in a frazzled child and poorly done work.
What does the ideal study space include? Here’s a checklist to help you as you set up your child’s own area:• A quiet room. This is the most vital part of the space. Not all homes have a spare room or study but many do have a quieter corner or one of those sunrooms additions in Ithaca, NY (or similar options elsewhere) that can double up as a study area. Think outside the box. Can that area beneath the stairs be utilised? What about that large cupboard? Yes, even a cupboard can become a sort of study cubby if the door is removed.• A good desk. Depending on your child’s age and size, a good desk should be large enough for them to use a laptop or PC and have some textbooks spread out.
Your child will enjoy having some input into the design of their study space so do include them in your shopping decisions. Knowing that you are investing in their future will also encourage them to keep trying hard.
Above all, ensure that siblings respect one another’s privacy. It’s vital that they do not interrupt one another or use the equipment meant for any one child. Asking to use the room is fine – especially if you are setting it up for more than one child to use. In that case, make a schedule to avoid fall outs!
Children with personal space are more relaxed and you will find that they are more responsible when it comes to completing their work on time.