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This is a guest post by Amanda Henderson of https://safechildren.info/.
Is homework clogging up your kitchen table, or is your kid’s violin practice becoming too much for your living room? Setting up a dedicated, distraction-free space for your kids to help get their work done has some major benefits for their education and your peace of mind. Whether it’s getting their science projects done or working on their latest musical masterpiece, here are a few ways you can set up a workspace of their very own:
Pick a Suitable Space
The first step in setting up a distraction-free work zone for your children is to pick out a good space. First, think about what interests your kids. Maybe they need somewhere to practice an instrument or a space to work on STEM experiments. Look around your home for a room or corner that is being underused. Perhaps you have a spare bedroom or a playroom your children have outgrown. Decorate the space with appropriate wall hangings, such as world maps or the Periodic Table of Elements, and consider refreshing the room with new paint or wallpaper. Modern wallpaper is much easier to handle than older types; some are recyclable, so they’re less harmful to the environment. You can even let your kids help you pick out peel-and-stick wallpaper to let them have a say in creating their own work area.
Don’t have an entire room? Don’t despair! You can set up a corner of your kids’ room or even create a dual-purpose space. Dual-purpose rooms help you get the most out of the space in your home.
Clear Out Clutter
Once you’ve settled on a space, it’s time to bring your distraction-free zone together. Go through the room and get rid of clutter. Clutter can cause stress and make it difficult for your kids to focus on tasks. As you set up the room, keep furniture and decor simple; only fill it with what your little students need to get their learning done. Encourage your children to clean up after themselves when they’re done with their projects, and don’t be tempted to use the room for extra storage or any purpose other than studying/learning.
Grab Some Essential Gear
While you don’t want to fill up the new space with a lot of junk, you do want to grab some essentials to help your kids succeed. If you have budding musicians, be sure to outfit their workspace with the accessories they need to push their talent to the next level. You can buy or rent the equipment that will give your kids an edge when it comes to their music. Do you have an artist who needs an easel or a scientist who could benefit from a microscope? Figure out what equipment your children need, and make it a part of their new workspace.
Boost Their Abilities
The right equipment can get your kids set up for success. But you can also take extra steps to enhance their ability to learn. Essential oils are a wonderful way to inspire creativity and enhance focus while adding some nice smells to the air.
Even the right lighting can improve your children’s experience in their new workspace. Some studies suggest that bright, blue-hued lighting may improve children’s focus and help them learn better in the classroom environment. Apply those same principles at home by using the right light bulbs in lamps and fixtures inside the workspace.
Families are often tight on study space, especially if the adults are going back to school, too. Creating a family-oriented learning area is a great solution. Adults can often engage in flexible learning programs so that family members aren't tripping over each other. Search for answers to fit your situation, etc.
Block Out Noise
Depending on your kids’ chosen passion, you may need to keep noise in or keep noise out. If your child needs to focus and not be distracted by outside noise, consider picking up a simple speaker to play classical music, or you could use a noise machine to block out unwanted noise. Are all those drum solos taking a toll on your ears? Perhaps you just want to avoid getting complaints from the neighbors. In either case, there are a few ways to soundproof the new workspace. Even simple soundproofing can help minimize noise disruptions when your kids are working on projects.
Setting up a workspace for your kids is a great way to encourage their learning while preserving the peace in your home. Fill their workspace with the tools they need to succeed in their educational ventures. Give them space to explore their passions, and you’ll open up a world of future possibilities.