We usually associate learning spaces with classrooms. However, a learning place at home that is engaging, inviting, colorful, and educational is the need of the hour as well.
The Coronavirus and social distancing have had a major impact on our lives. The environment around us has changed. What was once considered a “childish idea” is now a reality. Yes, we are talking about working from home, social distancing, wearing masks in public, and whatnot.
Thanks to the pandemic, schools in most countries are completely shut down. Extended school holidays and online classes are the new norms now. In such desperate times, we need to change our home environment and create a dedicated space for education.
Now, just like with everything else, it is easier said than done. However, in this article, we’ll make it easier and will help you set up the most productive learning area at your house.
Things to Consider When Choosing An Area For At-Home Learning
You can set up a cool learning space almost anywhere in your home. However, to assemble it as an ideal area, keep the following things in mind.
- Noise Level
Too much noise can hinder the studying process. Be sure the area you select is quite enough for your kid to concentrate.
- Design You Space
Design contributes a great deal to learning. Believe it or not, the color of the walls, lighting, fixtures, and everything else that makes up the surroundings will either help or hinder your child’s learning.
- Space
When it comes to how to set up your dorm room, the principles are different. You may not need a lot of empty space in a dorm, but you need that in your learning room. Smaller classrooms may help in studying, but confined spaces are not ideally suited when you build a learning place in your house.
- Accessories
No matter how cool the learning area is, if it’s not equipped with the right things, all your efforts may go down the drain. Yes, we are talking about all important stationery. You want your kid to focus on his learning material and not run around the house looking for his pencils. Everything should be at his disposal in the learning area.
- Fewer Distractions
Let’s face it, creating a perfect learning area for your kid at home is not possible. TV, siblings, unwanted noises, etc. will always produce a distraction. When creating a perfect learning room at your house, you should try to limit these distractions rather than eliminate them.
- Try To Keep It Fixed
Although it is your own house and there will always be something going on. Parties, get-togethers, friends or family coming over and whatnot – the Pandemic era has made everything in-house. This could disturb your dedicated space for learning.
Try, as much as possible, not to use your learning area for anything else other than what you have created it for.
- Personalization For Your Space
The space you’re creating will mostly be used by your little ones. So, personalizing it as per their preference will help them learn. You can let them decorate the space with things they feel good around.
For younger kids, you can use their favorite artwork, superhero, cartoon character, etc while decorating. For grade-schoolers, you can actually make them a part of the activity. Ask them what they would like and if it’s possible, incorporate it!
Personalization can really give a boost to online learning.
This article is primarily for young kids. However, the space you’re working on can aid young adults to learn as well.
Learning Space Created: What’s Next?
Now that you have created a perfect learning environment at home, it’s time to start using it optimally.
- Motivation
You have set up a great learning place but if your little ones aren’t using it, all your efforts are in vain. In some simple ways, you can motivate them to start using the area for their virtual classes in particular and home learning in general.
Once you have built it, start using the space yourself. “You can use the area for your office work, and online meetings. Children, by default, are curious, and seeing their parents using this new area will motivate them to use it themselves”, noticed Hannah Swan, a papersowl.com writer who specializes in education methods.
- Try Out Different Engagement Techniques
Younger kids are not likely to start using the area. They will need some kind of a push. To keep this “push” subtle, we recommend engaging them creatively. For example, students tend to learn more with visual elements like flashcards, images, etc. These could be either printed or digital.
During the early days, you have to keep the interest alive. Looking at textbooks all day can soon become boring. To overcome that, parents can introduce different activities. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here but you can try sketching exercises during science lessons, using a whiteboard during a math class, or some acting during the English class.
- Keeping it Consistent
“At the heart of mastery, lives consistency” – Robin Sharma
If you expect your children to go crazy for the new idea, you’re wrong. You will have to make them fall in love with your new learning corner. And this won’t happen overnight.
Your new learning area will only serve its purpose if you’re consistent with your efforts and show patience.
Final Words
You should develop your children’s learning routine based on the guidelines received from the school. These guidelines are usually about the online classes (the timings and the days), and the recommended style and workload of homework.
In case you haven’t received the guidelines or homeschooling is what you’re doing then do a little research to create your own schedule.
