Back to School: Creating Learning Space for Kids

21 Jan Back to School: Creating Learning Space for Kids

School is back in session and, since the pandemic closings in March of 2020, many families are finding themselves homeschooling for the first time or navigating a work-from-home and virtual school scenario they never prepared for before.

As a parent, you always want your children to succeed in everything they do. It is not yourself sitting in the classroom, but there is quite a bit that you can do as a parent to help your children thrive in the school setting, whether at home or in a public or private school classroom. Here are just a few examples of what you can do to make sure your children thrive this school year in a learning space they’ll love:

Create A Designated Homework Spot

Setting up a specific place in your home for your children to do their schoolwork or homework is extremely beneficial because they will not only have everything they need at their fingertips, but it will also give them a space to get away from everything in order to concentrate. Ideally, this place should be a quiet spot with good lighting, plenty of flat space for writing and doing projects, and even a computer, when needed.

Break Up Your Space

Use items like rugs and shelving to break up a large open space into smaller more divided rooms without putting up solid walls. Use a large rug to separate an office space from the rest of the kids’ space so it doesn’t close things off but it creates a separation. Open shelving that you can see through is also a great option for dividing space. This can brighten things up with pops of color while keeping things fun for the kiddos.

Organize the Details

Whether you choose bins, containers, or totes, small things can get lost so keeping them organized is important, especially when you are schooling from home. We recommend using a small metal rolling cart and magnetized bins, buckets, and small containers so the inside and outside of each shelf are most efficiently used. These pair very well with built-in shelving in your child’s space for books, paper, and extra materials and supplies.

Keep Things Foldable

Desks and shelving can take up a lot of room in a small space so making the best use of vertical space is crucial. A wall mounted desk can save on both space as well as create a place for storage. Many of these desks have internal storage for office supplies as well as the work space.

Shelving can also fold down and back up for when they are being used or when they need to be stored for play or to make more room.

Multi-Use Items are Best

A homeschool room could easily double as an office space just as much as the bar area in a kitchen could be used for studying and eating dinner. Whether you use large items like a Murphy bed which doubles as shelving or storage that is also decorative, real estate is a hot commodity in smaller spaces, so most designs need to be space-saving and multi-functional.

Capitalize on Creativity

Whether you lighten it up with paint, decorate it with decals, or create a photo collage, make the space feel like somewhere you and your kids will want to spend time together. Use a bright color palette, kid-friendly wall decals, and trendy items like a globe and succulents to bring the outdoors in. Always incorporate natural light whenever possible as well in order to make a small space seem larger.

Help Them Create A Schedule

One thing that a lot of children struggle with is creating a schedule for themselves to ensure that they are not only getting everything done, but also getting enough sleep. If they had it their way, they would play video games, text on their iPads or phones, or watch tv all night after school instead of getting anything done and going to sleep at a good time. Help your child out by making a schedule that works for them and you to make sure that they are getting a good night’s sleep. This is also so important for their overall health and wellness.

It is perfectly possible to create a brilliant learning space for kids and adults alike to truly enjoy together or separate. This way, whether you are working from home, homeschooling, or learning remotely, everyone can be happy even in a small space. NOAH can help with the build and even with safe, reliable contactless inspections today.