While a lot of the focus on improving education centers around what happens in the school building, we also need to take a look at how we are setting our students up for success at home. Whether your student is doing homework after their traditional school day, attending an online school or participating in homeschooling, having a space that promotes learning is crucial to success.
I connected with Connections Academy, a provider of full-time online public school, and they shared a few things you can do to support your student at home:
- Create a space that is free from distractions. This may mean setting up a separate space away from the hustle and bustle of family life or it may just mean designating a quiet time when TVs and electronics are silenced.
- Create a space that is comfortable. Having a comfortable seat can make all the difference when it comes to a student being willing to sit and do their work. Surrounding the student with colors and images that they enjoy can help to make their study space friendly and inviting.
- Provide adequate lighting. Yes, this seems like common sense but is an often overlooked piece to making students comfortable. If possible, locate your student near natural light whenever possible. Have a lamp with a bright bulb available for times when natural light is not enough. Nothing will kill a child’s love of reading like eye strain!
- Plan in movement. As adults, we know how much we hate sitting in one spot for too long. That is even tougher for an active child. Plan regular breaks in between tasks or schedule stopping points within longer assignments. Allow students to work in different spots if they wish – on the couch for reading or at the table for writing. Changing it up helps keep students feeling fresh.
- Use different media to deliver lessons. Create a learning space that utilizes different forms of media to provide lessons in multiple ways – a TV with a streaming device like a Roku or AppleTV can be used to watch YouTube demonstrations or tutorials. E-readers can offer an interactive element to books and iPods allow for students to listen to audiobooks or podcasts.
Just like setting up a home office is important for adults who work from home, it’s important to have a home study space for students who study at home or even attend school fully online.
What do you need at home to support your student’s learning – whether they attend a traditional school, online or a mix of the two? Basically, just a dedicated space where your student can concentrate, work and feel inspired.
I learned a lot about home study spaces and online school by partnering with Connections Academy on this sponsored post. Online school can offer flexibility that a more traditional school setting may not, and can also provide a personalized approach to learning with more one-on-one attention, as well as access to a wide array of core and elective courses. Wondering if online school might be a fit for your student and your family? To learn more, check out their website for upcoming events and in-person and virtual information sessions.
You can also follow Connections Academy on social media:
I love this. It’s so important for the kids to have a space where they can study free of distractions.
We made up a space like this for our kids to do their homework, and we’ve seen a marked improvement in their grades. It really helps them focus.
I love this idea. We need to make a space like this for our kids. They tend to get easily distracted when they’re doing their homework.
That’s an excellent idea to help the kids with their studies. They need a quiet place to work just like we do.
It is so important for kids to have their own workspace when they are trying to get homework done. I love your ideas.
Having a comfortable, quiet place to study is so important! My oldest has a desk in her room and its really starting to come in handy now that she’s in middle school.
I like these ideas. Thinking beforehand about offering a few comfortable spots could help a lot. Sitting in an office chair for long periods of time isn’t too nice.
I am really easily distracted. Having a space free of distractions is really important for me.
This is a great idea. I would love to do something like this for my son who is about to head off to high school! He’d get great use out of this!
A study space is very important for the children. We did provide each of our children their own study space in their rooms. It helped them focus and we also included some hooks to motivate them to bring home medals. 🙂
My son has his own study space, and I think it can helps to concentrate with his studies.
Such a great idea! Having a space for studying really boosts kids focus and productivity!
I work from home too and I think this is a great list! Adequate lighting and being comfortable are super important!
I’m so surprised at how many kids are going to school online or in hybrid form now. Finding home study space definitely matters!
Great tips for helping our kids and ourselves be productive. I’ve found that my kids can’t work near each other. If one finishes something, the other stops working even if she isn’t done. Thankfully, we’ve got some flexibility so we can help everyone be successful.
I would not have thought of using the Apple TV as a way to help create a at-home study space! That is a brilliant idea!