Whether your kiddos are fully remote this year, following a hybrid model, or doing homework after school, it’s great to have a place in your home for them to set up and focus. With many parents also working from home and rooms already serving multiple functions, it means there isn’t always a clear space for students to work. While of course, most families have already made adaptations, we wanted to share a few tips that can give your at-home student zone a boost:

Designate a Clear Space

One great part of school for kids is the routine, and creating a similar structure at home can be really beneficial. This often starts with designating a specific space. While kids might like to bounce from the living room to the kitchen to their bedrooms, having a go-to spot for when it’s really time to focus can help give them the structure they need to succeed. By picking out this area of your home in advance and getting your kids on board, you can make it a habit for them to work from this space. Of course, they may still like to work in different places throughout the day, but they’ll have a place they know is specifically for them.

Reduce Clutter

One thing we can do to make this space more conducive to learning and focus is to ensure that it’s clutter free. Even by simply adding a few additional baskets or other storage containers to keep things out of sight can make the area better for students to work in. Keeping this area simple and neat means it will be easier for kids to pay attention to the work in front of them.

Remove Distractions

Another major challenge of at-home learning is distractions. Consider where you set up your student area, and do a quick scan for distractions. Is it near a television that may be on in the afternoon? Will your work calls be easily heard? Though small, the countless little distractions throughout the day can really add up. Working to reduce them as best as possible can help kids work more efficiently.

Consider Ergonomics

Just as much as adults need to adjust to a work-from-home set-up, kids also need to adjust to their school area in the house. While it can be tempting for any of us to work from the couch, it doesn’t help our posture or focus to lounge with our computers on our laps all day. Setting up an area where their keyboard will be at the right height and their screen at eye level can help them stay in school mode while they’re working.

 

How has your family adapted to at-home learning in your Southern Maryland home? Whether it’s for school days or homework sessions, where are your kids spending the most time on school work? Has creating this type of space worked for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!