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Education has never looked so different. The unusual times in which we’re currently living have meant that schools have had to draw on some extremely creative ways of ensuring our children still receive a high-quality and challenging education. For many, that has meant home education. Even without the disruption of Covid-19, many children still need a dedicated space in which they can study in peace. This is especially true for children who are facing exams.
Whilst many children work in the kitchen or dining room at home, it’s not an ideal choice for numerous reasons. There are too many distractions for most children to cope with when they are working in part of the home with high traffic or lots of noise. It’s always advisable where possible, to set up a dedicated study space for your child. Discussions with this independent school in London clarified some of the most important factors in helping a child to study independently. Two of the most standout points were that children need to be nurtured as individuals, challenged and supported in their efforts to make good decisions for themselves. Setting up a private study space can often be a first step towards achieving these aims.
Where to set up your child’s study space
For most children, the obvious solution would be in their own bedroom. This is often quieter, due to it being away from the rest of the household. However, if you have a spare bedroom, it may be worthwhile using this. The reason is that a child’s bedroom is often equated with other activities – and that alone can distract them. If their games console, books and toys are also there, then your child will be constantly aware of these other activities. A plainer space with a limited number of objects is often much calmer, making it easier to concentrate.
What to put in a child’s study space
A well-chosen chair and desk are a good investment as they will help your child to concentrate. Discomfort causes fiddling and wriggling – not conducive to good results! If your child is young, ensure that you choose a desk and chair of the correct height. You will need an adjustable chair so that it can grow with them. This is the best way to ensure you don’t have to repeat-buy! Let your child play a part in the choosing of their furniture so that they will feel more invested in studying. Don’t place the desk so that the child is looking directly out of the window. Not only does this bring too much distraction but the light will be shining in their eyes. Choose an adjustable desk lamp so that they can study comfortably during the evening if needed.
Making the most of the space
If you have more than one child who needs to study, then it’s possible to set them both up in a makeshift office/classroom. They will need to be mature about the space and how it is managed and kept tidy. Listening to music can be a good aid to working if the right sort of music is chosen. Classical music is more beneficial than songs with lyrics as these can be too distracting. If you do need to resort to setting up a space in your child’s bedroom, this can work well as long as there is adequate room.
Allow your child to be involved in every aspect of setting up their study space and they will feel invested in it and even proud of it. It’s a sign that their studies are respected and taken seriously. And nobody knows better than a parent that this is very true!
