While the first few weeks of a new school semester can be an overwhelming time for kids and parents, there are ways to make the transition a bit easier. It all starts with setting up a special study area in your home where your kids can complete their homework without distraction. When your child has an organized workspace to call their own, acing school will be a piece of cake.
Start by choosing an area in the house that will be designated strictly for studying. By no means should this workspace be used for any other activities, like talking on the phone or watching TV, as that could lead to unwanted distractions. The study spot can be anything from a desk in your child’s room to a corner of a walk-in closet. There are no guidelines here, so whatever works best for your child is fine. Just be sure it is a space free of distractions or disorganization. This may require a bit of creativity and reshuffling of furniture or decor.
You should also make sure that you provide a clear work surface so your child has plenty of space to perform their homework efficiently and effectively. The area should also be well lit, so that your child can see their work without eyestrain. The study space should also be equipped with a comfortable chair that promotes proper posture and encourages your child to focus.
Be sure to provide all the tools your kids need to succeed, like a dictionary and thesaurus, sheets of notebook paper, a calculator, pencils and pens, markers and highlighters, a ruler and notebooks. There should also be a calendar or schedule book on hand so that your child can stay on top of homework due dates and test dates. They can even use them to schedule in after-school activities, club meetings and even playtime. Building organizational and time-management habits early on can pay dividends for you and your child later in life.
Finally, it is crucial that you put a homework routine in place for your children. By maintaining strict guidelines about when and where homework should be performed, homework will become routine rather than a nightly struggle.
