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Tips for Creating a Productive Homework Station at Home
Source: IPC
The new school year’s right around the corner, which has many parents pondering how they can control the school-night chaos. Creating a homework station in your home can help your kids stay focused and on-task and keep you organized and in control.
How homework stations help kids
A lot of kids try to do their homework on the living room couch, at the kitchen table, or on their beds. But with all the distractions these rooms create, it can be difficult for kids to focus and stay motivated to complete their homework.
A homework station gives your kids a clean, organized place so they can get to work. Effective stations are set apart from the hubbub of your kitchen or the distraction of the TV. They’re clutter-free and inviting. When you make a homework station part of your kids’ afterschool routine, they’ll always have a quiet, organized place to complete their homework.
Location is key
Placing your new homework station right in front of the TV or in the middle of your kitchen will make it very difficult for your kids to focus. Here are some creative ideas for carving out a spot for your homework station that is quiet and private, but also easy for you to monitor.
- Butler’s pantry or den off the kitchen. A homework station off the kitchen is private enough for kids to focus, but close enough to still feel connected.
- Closet conversion. Take the door off, add a shelf as a desk, and deck out the walls with storage or tack boards to show off artwork.
- Corner of your living room. Add a screen to divide the station from your living room, and face the desk away from distractions.
- Home office. Add a desk for your kids in your own home office. It’s quiet, distraction-free, and you can down to business right next to them.
- Bookshelf built-in. If you’re short on space, consider purchasing a bookshelf with a built-in desk.
Creating a productive homework station
Once you’ve picked the perfect location, it’s time to design your homework station. It all starts with a desk and comfortable chair. Experts recommend a 28-inch high desktop that your kids can use from Kindergarten through college. Consider placing a piece of Plexiglas on the desktop to protect the surface. Use it to showcase artwork or good report cards. Top the desk with a good task light.
Designate spots for your kids’ book bags and add trays for papers you need to review or sign. Add a wall or desk calendar with upcoming due dates and a clock to keep kids on task. Then, provide pens, pencils, and other supplies so your kids don’t interrupt their study time hunting for what they need.
Homework stations can keep your kids focused and productive and reduce afterschool stress for everyone. Don’t have room in your house for a homework station? It’s a great time to shop for a new home. To start your search in the Rockford-Buffalo-Delano-St. Michael area, contact Trent Shipley at Keller Williams Realty Integrity NW today.
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