Sophie is starting kindergarten this week, and like most kids in the country, that really means she is doing school at home. It’s really important to me that we stay organized, so she can get the most out of school time and get used to the structure. With that in mind, I didn’t want her to just sit anywhere to do school. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that we’ve been working on a new office for me. That’s now our at-home classroom. Whomp whomp. Not exactly what I had planned, but I’m glad we were able to set up an at-home learning space that is going to work for the time school is happening at home.
Setting Up An At-Home Learning Space For Kids
1. Limit distractions. One of the best reasons to set the kids up in my office is to limit the distractions while they are trying to do video calls or complete assignments. That means, for us, the kitchen table was out! Mom and dad walking around, the dog wandering by, and all of the snacking possibilities are just too much for my little ones to ignore.
2. Give them space to spread out. A desk is important for doing school at home. You need to make sure they have room to set up the computer or tablet, as well as paper and other materials for completing assignments. Give them a pencil cup to hold pencils and pens, a box for crayons or markers, and simple storage bins so they can keep their space organized.
3. Make sure they have a comfortable place to sit. Proper posture is a big part of proper handwriting. One thing you will need is a chair that is comfortable for your kids to sit in for a long time where they can sit up at the table to write, draw, and color. The solution could be as simple as using a kitchen chair at a desk, and placing a box on the floor for your child to rest their feet while they work.
4. Use a timer. Get a special timer that your kids can use to keep them on track as they work on assignments. Ten minutes can be a good amount of time for small kids to work on a color sheet, practice math skills, or tackle independent reading.
5. Headphones are a must. Headphones will help kids to focus on videos and class meetings.
6. Cozy chairs are great for reading. When the reading assignment calls for a parent to read out loud, try a change of scenery. Give them a break from the school area and curl up in a cozy chair or bed to reach together.
Anything you would add to this list? Share your tips for setting up an at-home learning space in the comments.
Jessica — Mom of Sophie & Jake
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