2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
Better to get organized to make the “homework” part of the family happy hour more efficient and enjoyable. To put the odds on your side, here are the basics of setting up an inviting and functional homework area.
You must first determine where this famous space will be. This is mainly determined by the age of your child.
The child of elementary age
If your child is between 6 and 12 years old, a place close to you, in the kitchen for example, is ideal. Children of this age require more supervision and they like to work with you. New kitchen designs often include a desk right in the cabinetry modules, but in most cases the good old kitchen table method is very effective. It is a well-lit area and the children already have a chair there. The key then is to organize a mobile office, i.e. a bin or basket with all the necessary stationery and supplies. Put it away after homework and you're done. If the homework area is separate from the kitchen, it must be equipped with a comfortable chair adapted to the size of the child. If necessary, add a footrest tothat he can have his feet supported.
The Teenager
If your child is older, in high school, CEGEP or university, a less supervised, more intimate place is a must. The bedroom then becomes the perfect place to set up an office area. If the room is rather large, no problem; a desk, a chair, storage and voila! But if the dimensions are more modest, you will have to be creative.
- You can install a folding table against the wall and hang a folding chair on the wall. Hide the bin with all the necessary materials under the bed to make everything cleaner.
- You can get a loft-style bed (a bunk bed with only the top bunk) that allows you to put office space underneath.
- If there is enough storage elsewhere, you can convert the closet back into an office by removing the doors and installing a counter section to make a workspace. Then use the overhead storage space with shelves.
No matter its configuration, equip the office with an ergonomic chair, adapted to your teenager. The workload is greater, he spends more time studying there and an uncomfortable chair can affect his concentration and cause significant physical ailments.
General Tips
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Be sure to install adequate lighting. Ideally, the homework corner should have three light sources:
- Natural, be the lightsunlight entering through a window.
- Ambient, i.e. the general light in the room, provided by the ceiling light or a floor lamp for example.
- Specific, i.e. the light projected by a dirigible desk lamp. Remember to place the lamp on the opposite side of the writing hand to avoid creating unnecessary shadows.
- Avoid distractions as much as possible. Television, loud music, heavy traffic, video games and the internet (including social media) should be prohibited. Also ask other family members to respect the bubble of those who work there.
- Have paper reference books handy; dictionary, Bescherelle, etc. These are less likely to distract your student than their computerized version, which offers entertainment just a mouse click away.
- Let the child or teenager personalize their desk area. He will feel more comfortable there and will be more likely to use it.
- Keep the place clean, tidy and organized. It is very difficult to concentrate when working in chaos.
- Use easy-to-manage storage, such as labels or color codes. Some people respond better to open, visual storage (like stackable paper baskets) and others prefer filing systems.
- Install a dry erase calendar. Very useful for writing the dates of assignments, it can be used by the whole family; just assign adifferent color for each child.
By providing a comfortable, organized and efficient place for your child, you will help instil good school habits and reduce clutter in your home. Studies last a long time, so start from the start to encourage effective working methods that will serve him all his life. And in the short term, make that sprint moment between getting home and dinnertime a little more enjoyable.
