Posted on by Cleverona Kitchen

While you may not know what the exact situation will be in terms of schools reopening in your state, you can be sure there will still be some level of distance learning in play. Parents are still challenged with creating the ideal workspace that will facilitate education, discovery, play, and achievement. And while building one may seem like a daunting task, creating a comfortable and inspiring learning space for your children is actually easier than you may think.

While you might want to get all the desk accessories and office supplies you see on Pinterest, it’s better to start off simple with a setup good enough to study in. Start with the basics and add as you go. Don't get things you don't actually need and won't really use to avoid clutter and congestion in your new learning space.

It's also best to work with what you have. If you live in a small home, a side table in a hallway can make a nice little desk. Wall-mounted desks save space. If your kitchen table or counter will be pulling double duty, pack a caddy or a rolling cart with supplies and store it in a kitchen cabinet.

Lighting is an important factor in effective learning spaces and the most effective learning spaces are those that are well-lit. Natural light and other sources of blue light are shown to increase productivity, alertness, and focus. Place your desk near a sunny window or in a room that gets plenty of natural light to support concentration and creativity. If your home or space lacks natural light, blue-enriched LED lightbulbs are also effective. You’ll also need to think about lighting for your webcam during meetings, classes, and presentations. Don’t rely on backlighting or side lighting. A desk lamp pointed indirectly toward your face may help.

Most people can be easily distracted by a noise while working, and kids certainly are no exception. Find a quiet place for study in your home, preferably an area with less foot traffic. And if your kids have virtual classes during the day or watch educational videos, consider investing in noise-canceling headphones for them to listen to their classes without being distracted by other sounds in the house. These headphones might also be a great investment for you too if you’re working from home while your child attends virtual classes or listens to videos close to your workspace.

When it comes to creating a space that facilitates remote learning, it’s important to find a place with few distractions. If possible, choose a place where your child can focus on learning. Remove possible distractions such as television, background music, and cell phones. Though some students are more able to maintain their focus by listening to music. Music can put your student in a good mood, but if they’re paying more attention to lyrics than the material they’re supposed to learn, it can be counterproductive.

Your house is full of distractions, and that might include your child's younger sibling. If siblings are having trouble sharing space you could separate their desks with a tall bookshelf. And if they’re seated at the same table, prop up trifold boards or foldable cubicles.

When it comes to design and style, involve your kids to create a personalized area just for them. By allowing your child to play a role in the space, you’ll help generate positivity and excitement around their new learning zone. 

Have them personalize their space with colorful artwork, signs, and decorations. And as long as they aren’t distracting, they can add pillows, blankets, and even stuffed animals to help to make the space feel more comfortable, familiar, and inviting. If a child feels they have ownership over their space, they will be more motivated to use it and care for it.

Create a learning space that's comfortable, but not too comfortable. It can be painful to sit in an uncomfortable chair for hours. Choose a chair that your child can sit in for long periods of time. Make sure the chairs are comfortable and provide sufficient back support. 

Don’t use a bed as a learning space. You don’t want your child to fall asleep in the middle of their lessons. Also, doing things besides sleeping in bed can lead to trouble falling and staying asleep at bedtime.

Make everything in the learning space accessible and organized. A kid’s study space can quickly get lost under a ton of mess and the more cluttered the desktop, the harder it will be for your child to focus. 

Store papers and art supplies in bins in a nearby cabinet or on a shelf. Use labels or clear containers so kids can remember where to get it and where to put it back. Have high-usage items like pencils and pens from a desktop organizer or containers near the desk.

If desktop space is limited or if your kids share the supplies, A rolling cart is great for storage and organization. The mobility and the accessibility of a rolling cart is a great advantage and you can easily put the cart away when not needed.

Our brains associate spaces with activities so setting up a physical space that’s dedicated to learning will help you have a successful learning space at home. Kids need to have a designated space for learning that their minds and bodies will associate with work, creativity, and discoveries. This doesn’t have to mean buying all new furniture. Instead, just repurpose a corner of your home to serve as a learning area for your student.

Most families don’t have the luxury of a whole extra room just for learning. Instead of focusing on square footage and actual space, think about creating consistency. You can dedicate a corner of a room, but you can also create learning spaces that are more flexible. These workspaces can be at the dining room table, a beanbag on the floor, at a desk, or a cozy corner complete with pillows.

Keep some spaces empty and leave some room for improvements. You don’t need to fill every corner with toys and furniture just because there’s space. The learning space shouldn’t feel complete or full. Rather, it should feel like a space that can adapt over time as your kids grow and find new passions and interests. This will make it easier to adjust if the school requires a new system or medium for learning.

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