Creating a study space at home offers many advantages to your child’s learning. It will help to make homework feel more fun and it will also improve your child’s motivation and concentration levels.

I have collaborated with a preparatory school for boys to share the following tips on setting up the perfect study space for your child…

Find the right spot

Try to set up your new study space in a separate area to where your child relaxes. For example, it is best for your child to do homework up at a table, rather than on the sofa. This will help to differentiate the activities that are done between the two areas and will make it easier for your child to concentrate. Ideally, your child should be sitting at a desk or table when working, so that they feel comfortable and you will need to ensure that distractions are kept to a minimum by the rest of the family.

Think about lighting

If possible, set up your child’s study area as close to a window as possible and plan their study time when they will benefit most from the daylight. This is because natural daylight has been proven to keep your brain alert and aid productivity. If your child will be studying in the evenings, you will need to install adequate lighting in order to maintain productivity and prevent eye strain.

Get organised

A disorganised workspace can make your child feel distracted when trying to complete school work. So encourage your child to keep their desk area clean and tidy. The more comfortable your child feels, the more motivated they will be to learn. You could also add some drawers or storage boxes to their study space to help them keep everything organised.

Add the essentials

Preparation is essential when it comes to effective studying, so it is important to ensure that your child has everything they need within their reach. This will enable them to give their full attention to the work in front of them. Add stationary, books and any other essential equipment to their new study space, and provide a selection of refreshments when they sit down to learn.

Set study rules

Finally, it is important to set some study rules, so that your child is fully committed to completing their work or revising for exams. The most important rule of all should be no mobile phones or tablets whilst studying. Of course, they may need a computer or tablet to access information, but this should only be used for educational purposes and not to play games. It is also a good idea to make a study schedule and include regular breaks so that your child has time to relax.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.