Students around the world had to adjust to learning at home instead of going to traditional classrooms in 2020. Suddenly, parents discovered that they didn’t have spaces conducive to learning at home.
Whether your student gets to go back to school or keeps struggling with distance learning, you know that you need a place set up for them to study and absorb lessons at home. If nothing else, it will give them a better place to do homework after the pandemic.
Create a Comfortable Place
Students tend to concentrate best when they feel comfortable. No one wants to spend several hours sitting on a hard chair while trying to read a book full of dense information.
A modular sofa could offer the perfect spot for students to study. Modular furniture works well because you can arrange different parts into configurations that work well for students. For example, two siblings trying to study on the same couch will probably get into a few squabbles that make learning impossible. A modular sofa lets you separate seating areas so they can’t torment each other as easily.
You can also use modular sofas to move seating spaces around the room throughout the day. If your student prefers sitting in the sunlight, adjust the seat as the sun moves. It’s a simple solution that will make them a little happier.
If possible, create a room that your students use only for studying. A spare bedroom could work well.
Eliminate as Many Distractions as Possible
These days, learning almost inevitably means giving your kids access to the internet, potentially the world’s biggest distraction. Still, you need to make the space as conducive to concentration and learning as possible.
Start by removing unnecessary distractions. You know your student, so adjust according to what will interfere with their learning. Some kids can’t resist the temptation of a TV sitting in the room. Disconnect the television, so they don’t have access to the distraction. Other kids will stare out of the windows endlessly. Close the curtains or install a cubicle track around their workstation so they can’t view the outdoors as easily.
Back to the internet and its endless supply of distractions. You want your student to have access to some sites, but you do not want them to visit others. Luckily, developers have made plenty of site-blocking tools that will give you more control.
The Freedom app works well for most people because it has adjustable features that let you:
- Block the entire internet while you work on an assignment.
- Create blocklists that prevent students from visiting social media and entertainment sites.
- Add exceptions so students can visit learning tools like the online anagram solver without gaining access to other sites.
- Syncing across multiple devices to stop sneaky students from pulling out their smartphones to get around the rules.
Add Lighting That Reduces Eyestrain
Technology has largely taken over classrooms, even when the classrooms extend into your living room. Books still play a significant role in education, though, so you need to make sure you have lighting that reduces eyestrain.
Low light will force readers to squint as they struggle to identify words. Harsh light will wash out the page, making the text impossible to read.
You will probably get the best results from 60-watt or 80-watt light bulbs. Each person’s eyes are slightly different, so experiment until you find the perfect bulb.
Ideally, you want a light that students can point directly at reading material. Consider a lamp that can pivot in multiple directions.
Provide all of the Materials Students Need to Learn
Students need certain materials to learn. If they don’t have the items on hand, their educational experiences will get disturbed by trips to the store. Review your student’s assignments, so you can stock up on the materials they need for their assignments.
You can expect to buy items like:
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers
- Paper
- Notebooks
- Pens and pencils
Distance learning might also require specific apps or services such as StudyCrumb. Download and install the apps before school starts. Otherwise, you may find yourself fumbling with unfamiliar technology while the rest of the class moves ahead.
Keep Everything Organized
Clutter will also disturb students while trying to concentrate. End each day by making sure every item has been put where it belongs. If you let a little clutter slide one day, it will quickly grow into a huge mess.
You can encourage organization by providing drawers, bins, and cubbies. Label each container to identify what goes inside. The easier you make organizing, the more likely it is that your students will keep up without your interference.
Conclusion
Learning at home presents numerous challenges, but students can do remarkably well when given the right spaces. Find a spot in your home that you can transform into a classroom. If you can’t make a full-time classroom, perhaps you can choose a common room that only gets used for studying during certain hours.
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