Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Eight Strategies For Setting Up Your Homeschool Space
If you are homeschooling your children, it is essential for both parents and children to set up a perfect environment for conducive home learning.
Join My Pretty Printables for Kids Community
If you are new to homeschooling and endlessly scrolling through your Pinterest feed for some homeschool room ideas without getting anywhere, know you are not alone. It can be overwhelming to select a curriculum and set up a schedule, and when you have to set up a homeschool space from scratch, it gets even more complicated.
Join My Planner Girl Community
You don’t need expensive Pinterest-worthy setups for productive homeschooling, although it is a bonus. You can put together an effective and productive learning space by just incorporating some simple strategies. Wondering how? Let’s read on to find out.
1. Think out of the Box
When parents are told to visualize or even brainstorm homeschool room ideas, they usually end up with a traditional classroom setup. However, homeschooling is more individualistic and should encourage the student in learning, and you can hardly achieve that in classroom layout.
Find a space that has good natural light and wind circulation, away from the noise, and you can convert it to a happy homeschool space. You also need to make sure it’s close to where the parent or teacher will be, so the student can get immediate help if required.
If you are short of space, even a small nook near the living room window can be ideal for homeschooling if it is just a few steps away from your home office, and you can easily manage to supervise the kids in between work.
2. Find the Right Surface for Your Work
A dedicated work surface is a must for homeschooling. If you live in a small house or apartment, you can consider using a folding table as a work surface. One of the perks of having a folding table is shifting the position wherever you want. You can even move your homeschooling space into your backyard to perk up the mood.
Please make sure the work surface is sturdy and will keep its balance. If the table keeps wobbling with every slight movement, the student will lose their concentration. The work surface size depends on the student’s age; older students usually require a larger space to spread out their books and materials. If several students share the work surface, make sure they have their own dedicated space, even if it is at the same table.
3. Prioritize Comfort
Comfort doesn’t only mean a cushy chair where you can relax and work; it’s all about ergonomics and good posture. While an ergonomic chair or desk for homeschooling might be best, they tend to be more expensive. The closest you can arrange is a comfortable chair and desk that matches the height of the student. Make sure they don’t have to stay hunched over to read or write.
The height of the chair should also be compatible with the desk. For instance, the student shouldn’t lean forward to type on the keyboard or use the mouse. Before buying a chair, make sure the students can comfortably sit there for an extended period without back pain. The best way to ensure good posture while studying is to arrange a height-adjustable chair for the student.
4. Value Your Student’s Opinion
When looking for the perfect homeschool room ideas, don’t forget the person you are designing that space for. Your student’s opinion can turn out to be crucial for the effectiveness and productivity of that space. If they feel their opinion is valued, they will feel ownership of the space and be more spontaneous in cleaning up and arranging.
5. Keep Supplies and Learning Materials Nearby
If you have to get up constantly to fetch your learning supplies, you will eventually get irked and lose your concentration. To avoid this, you should keep all your reading materials and supplies nearby. It helps to keep a shelf and storage boxes for individual subjects and label them for easy organization.
I keep all the necessary homeschool supplies in a moving cart for ease of access in my home. This serves two purposes: I can move it with me wherever I want, and it keeps me from having to go back and forth to gather supplies.
6. Avoid Clutter and Distraction
Clutter and distraction are the banes of fidgety students, and besides, frequently used things might easily get lost within the clutter. The best way to avoid clutter in the learning space is to strategically organize all learning materials in their dedicated space. To ensure the learning space is tidied up, you can allot at least ten minutes for cleaning and sorting out at the end of each learning session.
7. Make Easy Cleanup an Option
Students who are highly sensitive easily tend to get disturbed and stressed by messy surroundings. Clean-up should be easy in your learning space, especially for younger students who might even forget to put away their pencil shavings. Put a trash can or recycle bin near the study space to clean up the mess right after studying.
8. Don’t Forget the Aesthetic
While the learning space needs to be functional first, it shouldn’t be void of aesthetics. Even the homeschool room ideas that are most sterile and free of excess have some elements of aesthetics in them. For instance, a colorful bulletin board, a small area rug, or even a simple houseplant can go a long way to boost the appearance and mood of the learning space.
The Bottom Line
While you might want the best homeschool set up for your children, remember there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What worked for others might not work for you. Besides, every student is unique in their learning; some might prefer a stricter environment, some might want some flexibility with their learning environment. To make your homeschooling as productive as it can be, you should mold the space according to your child’s learning style. Above all, keep it fun and engaging for the student!
Have fun creating the beautiful homeschool space of your dreams!
Ashley Yeo
March 2020 Self-Care Reading Printables – Spring, Spring Cleaning, Spring Break
Leave a Reply