Things to Consider When Setting Up a Study Area
As if having to pay attention in class to absorb all the lessons in school isn’t enough, students constantly bring home schoolwork that they need to do and finish. It’s not unusual for many kids to just do their homework on their bed, on the kitchen table, the couch, or any spot they find at home that they feel will serve the purpose. But this isn’t really something we should encourage kids to do, having to find their place to do schoolwork instead of having a dedicated area can lead to demotivation that will prevent them from absorbing the lessons and even perform poorly. The last thing you want is for your child to end up discouraged from doing what needs to be done. So what should you do? Give them a dedicated space to turn into their study area.
Before you transform a space at home into a study area, you’ll need to consider the following:
Location
This should be greatly determined by the person who’ll be using the space. Ask your child where they feel most comfortable and encouraged to do their schoolwork. Is it in their room where they feel they can get a bit of privacy as they do their tasks? Or is it in another part of the house where they can still see other family members but will not be disturbed? The answer will weigh heavily with them. And try your best not to undermine their decision, because you can’t force someone to be productive because you think that’s a suitable space.
Lighting
Does the chosen space have ample lighting? And by ample, that means you’ll still be able to read the text in front of you even if you’re hovering over it. If you’re casting a shadow over the text even as you sit, then it’s not properly lit. You’ll need to get extra lighting equipment such as a table lamp or overhead lights. This will prevent the development of eye strain or eventual eye problems.
Overall Space Availability
Determine if the chosen space can accommodate all the furniture required to set up the study area. Visualize where everything will be placed including the potential for mobility. This means you’ll need to figure out if you have enough room to get in and out of the chair or if there will be obstructions. You may need to move other things around to make the space.
Table Space
Assess the table you intend to use. Will it have enough space to hold everything the student will need? Is it stable enough to hold both a computer and books, and even the occasional art projects? And since you’re setting up a new space, why not venture into ergonomic desk? Not only will this serve the purpose of providing good desk space and stable surface, your child will also reap the benefits of ergonomics. They’ll be able to improve their posture, maintain focus and productivity, and even feel good while they’re doing their schoolwork.
Seating Space
Just like the table space, you’ll need to assess the chair your child will be using. What kind of chair will they be using? Is it too bulky? Does it have enough seating space? Does it have back support? A chair is not just a chair, it will help determine how long a person can last sitting without experiencing pain and discomfort that can decrease productivity and even discourage them to continue completing their tasks. There are ergonomic chairs that are actually a great investment. These chairs are especially designed to promote good posture that your child will benefit from in both the short and long term. They will not experience neck and shoulder soreness for spending hours on the chair. It will also allow for great blood flow that will prevent the development of leg pain and other coronary diseases. Best of all, ergonomic chairs are so comfortable that it is able to lift your child’s mood and prevent the possible development of depression or anxiety. This will give them the advantage of completing their schoolwork with ease because they feel comfortable and happy. And to get your child involved in this particular consideration, you can show them several choices (or one that comes in their favorite color). That’s something to get them excited.
Shelving Units
Some kids prefer to have all their school materials and other supplies nearby when they do their schoolwork. Others prefer to just bring what they need to the table when they need them, but won’t be bothered if the don’t have their things within arm’s reach. So for this particular part of the strategizing process, ask your child what they think they’ll need to have around the study area. Would they need their computer on the table? Would they be happy without shelving units or a side table to keep their smaller items? If they’re having a difficult time determining what they want to have in their space, ask them to start with their bare essentials: computer, charger, writing materials, and maybe a dedicated space for their book bag.
The great thing about coming up with a dedicated study area is it could be a good opportunity to bond with your child and get to know their likes and dislikes even in this little way. Engage in conversation so you’ll also know what drives them and what possibly distracts them away from the tasks they need to do. Get them involved in every step, you can even ask them to give you ideas of what they think their area would look like and how they can personalize it. Because it will be their space, let them make most of the decisions. Step in when you think it’s not feasible or if you can improve their idea – but remember to do so in a nice way. One thing you need to remember when dealing with kids is to never undermine them just because they’re younger. Sometimes, their ideas can present fresh solutions that you wouldn’t normally consider.
