Is your child having a hard time studying or doing homework? Every student experiences difficulties with their schoolwork at one point or another– in fact, recent research indicates that almost two-thirds of high school students say that they find it difficult to focus on homework. Meanwhile, 74 percent of students blame distractions as they struggle to focus within 30 minutes of doing homework.
Lack of motivation and low productivity can result in poor grades and poor retention of learning. To ensure that kids can make the most of their study time, they need to have a dedicated area to prepare for exams and complete their schoolwork. To boost your child’s academic performance, here are some easy ways to create a productive study space at home.
Create a Distraction-Free Space
Educators know that cutting out distractions can help children to focus when they need to concentrate on their schoolwork. Even interior designers have seen the benefits of creating distraction-free spaces in order to boost a child’s study skills. Tulsa-based interior designer, Mel Bean, says that many kids have yet to master self-control as they can hardly ignore their gadgets and their social media notifications from their friends. When creating a study area, Bean advises that it’s “essential to create boundaries around the type of technology allowed in this space in order to foster study skills, curiosity, and creation.”
To create an area that’s conducive to learning, consider some home office design hacks to enhance productivity, such as using folding screens to create a partition between the work or study space and the rest of the room. A folding screen grants your child a little privacy while they study, and it may also be used to temporarily hide potentially distracting items, such as clutter, toys, or the television. Meanwhile, if your child complains about outside or indoor noise, consider using a white noise machine or let them use noise-canceling earphones while studying. You may also use plants to reduce noise. Not only do they freshen and clean the air, but they also help to absorb sound. Choose houseplants with plenty of leaves, such as a Monstera deliciosa or a fiddle-leaf fig, to reduce noise in your child’s study area.
Make it Comfortable, but Not Overly Cozy
Sitting on a cold, hard chair for hours can be uncomfortable, and it’s not conducive to learning. To promote productivity, make sure that your child’s study area is clean, comfortable, and a pleasant place to be at all times. It should be well ventilated, and the study room or area shouldn’t be too hot or too cold since either can reduce your little one’s ability to retain information. The study area should also be lit with daylight or cool white LED bulbs to enhance concentration and alertness.
To prevent posture problems or back pain, consider adding ergonomic furniture to your child’s study space. An ergonomic chair can provide posture support and enhance blood circulation, while a standing desk can significantly reduce lower back pain and improve energy levels. All of these things can make the study area comfortable, but take care not to make it overly cozy. Using a reclining chair with a footrest can make your child feel sleepy, and adding too many decorations and soft objects, such as fluffy lap blankets and pillows, may also cause them to lose focus.
Add Some Tech and Supplies
Doing homework and school projects is a cinch if your child has everything they could possibly need in their study space. Ideally, your child should have a laptop or a desktop and a printer, art materials, maps and a world globe for studying geography, a calculator, notebooks, pens, and other stationery in their study area. Keep everything neatly contained in drawers or a cart with wheels to prevent clutter.
You should also provide your child with a spill-proof insulated water bottle so they can stay hydrated while they study. Studies show that mild dehydration can impair a child’s memory and brain performance, so make sure that they drink enough water while they’re doing homework or reviewing for a test.
A study space that promotes productivity is comfortable, free of distractions, and equipped with everything that a student may need to study or do homework. Keep these tips in mind to create the perfect study space for your child, and help them achieve their academic goals.
