Your child's room might be sufficient for some of his or her homework, but if you want to keep an eye on the child or occasionally offer assistance with projects or studying, it makes sense to have the child in a common area of the home. While the child could work at the kitchen table, this spot can have its limitations. A better idea is to set up a proper workstation for your child somewhere near where you spend much of your time, such as the kitchen or the family room. Here are some keys to establishing this space.
Have Enough Desk Space
When some families set up a temporary workspace for their children, they make the mistake of having it too small. Keep in mind that you'll need space on the desk for a computer, even if it's just a laptop, as well as a spot to write and place books. Sometimes, your child will be using the computer, referencing a textbook, and writing in a notebook all at the same time — so there needs to be adequate space for all three. An L-shaped desk can be ideal for these tasks, should you be able to fit one in the area in question.
Keep Distractions Away
Give some thought to how you can set up your child's homework area to be devoid of distractions. Position the workspace so there aren't a lot of things that the child can see from where he or she sits. For example, you probably don't want the child to be able to see the TV screen in an adjacent room. Additionally, if the workspace is in a heavily trafficked area — such as in the hallway on the main floor of your home — people walking past could serve as a distraction. While you don't want to seem as though you're banishing the child to the corner of a room, this may be best for minimizing interruptions.
Have It Accessible To You
Depending on your child's age, you might find yourself assisting with various projects — or simply keeping an eye on the child to ensure that he or she is staying on task. You don't want the workstation to be so isolated that you and the child are yelling back and forth about his or her homework, as this can be annoying and disruptive to other family members. Instead, it's ideal if you're able to communicate from where you typically are without raising your voice; you should only have to take a few steps to get to your child to help him or her with a homework problem.
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