Where grown-ups have work-from-home, kids have distanced learning. Whether online classes continue into 2022 or not, having a spot at home that’s dedicated as your child’s study area is ideal. It acts as an extension of the classroom and creates a conducive environment for learning. If you’re in the process of setting up a study area for your child, here are a few useful tips:
Have the Right Desk and Chair
There’s no way around it. For online classes, children sit in front of computers and tablets for several hours a day. It’s easy to assume that having a desk and a chair for your child to use is enough. But, of course, it would be best if these are not only comfy but also a good fit for your child.
Young children may not be able to pinpoint and say out loud what’s uncomfortable about their study setup, so parents should check for them. Your child should be able to place his elbows on the table without their shoulders hunched. Their feet should be able to touch the ground when they’re seated. Adjustments can be made by having your child sit on a cushion if the table is too high or a stool underneath to act as a footrest. So, yes, there’s no need to buy new furniture.
Keep Things Organized
Even though a lot of school activities have gone digital, your child still needs desk space to write and draw. It will be hard to do so when the table is cluttered. It can be distracting to constantly need to find things in a messy area too.
Make it easier for your little learner to keep organized. Have school supplies and papers in separate containers and storage boxes. Teach your child that things have their own place. As an additional tip, if your child likes working on the dining table, having all their supplies on a wheeled trolley makes moving and organizing easier.
Pick a Spot that Suits Your Child
Choose one: working in the quiet of your own room or at a café with the gentle buzz of people around you. We all have a preference on which work environment we prefer—by ourselves or with others—and so does your child!
See which study environment suits your child best. Some may be able to study better when there’s peace and quiet, and having their study area inside their bedroom is perfect. On the other hand, some children, especially younger kids, may be able to study better when they’re not alone. If this is the case, try a designated spot for studying in the kitchen or living room. As long as the area isn’t too noisy or distracting, being a little more flexible when it comes to study areas shouldn’t hurt.
Allow Your Child to Decorate and Personalize
Let your little learner’s creativity shine! Your child will like their study area a lot more if they were allowed to decorate and personalize a little. Allow your child to pick some desk decorations or a few posters and pictures to hang. Decorating and personalizing a space will help your child feel like the space is theirs—which it is, right? Plus, your child can feel more motivated to hit the books when their study area is stimulating rather than bland and boring.
Choosing the Right Colors Can Help
Consider color when setting up your child’s study area. It can have more of an influence than you think! Studying all day can be draining, for example, and yellow is an energizing and uplifting color. So, it may help to have a bit of it in your child’s study area. Red is another stimulating color that can give boosts of energy. Use both of these in moderation, however, as too much can be overstimulating.
Kids experience stress too, just like adults, and cool colors like blue and green can create a more relaxing atmosphere. Careful not to have the room be too relaxing though—you don’t want your child falling asleep during online class.
Another tip: having the room walls in neutral shades like off-whites and creams can aid in focus and concentration as they’re not distracting or over-stimulating. For wall paint, Boysen has a wide range of interior paint colors you can choose from including ones that are in neutral hues. As for the perfect paint product, check out our guide on Boysen’s top choice interior paints: Boysen Permacoat, Boysen Healthy Home, and Virtuoso Silk Touch.
We hope you (and your child!) find these tips effective and useful. If you have any questions or inquiries about Boysen products, our technical team will be happy to assist you. Send an email to ask@myboysen.com or call (02) 8363-9738 local 413 to 418 during office hours for a one-on-one consultation.
