I grew up with an old student's desk in my bedroom along one small piece of wall that I was allowed to doodle on. Although I don't remember doing much homework, I do remember writing and drawing, and I had notebook upon notebook full of comic strips and pictures. It's never too early (or too late) to create a study or craft area for your child. Take a seat and get inspired by some of these great spaces and tips to do just that.
1. Find a small well-lit corner with enough space for a small desk and chair. Choosing a space near a window is great for natural light but could backfire if your child tends to distract easily by gazing outside. Regardless, make sure you've got enough artificial light for the shorter winter days when it darkens before dinner.
2. Stock up on school and craft supplies and get a good caddy or organizer. Here are a couple of easy DIYs like this organizer made from a phonebook, this book caddy made from a lazy susan and PVC and this version of the Boon Stash Storage System.
3. Find a good desk and chair.We're fans of vintage school desks that are becoming a bit harder to find like this one currently available via Craigslist ($20) but we have seen them pop up at garage sales and the flea market every so often. If you've got one that needs refinishing we found a great makeover here. They are perfectly sized to grow with your child and they fit in to small corners of your home (plus you don't need to worry about finding a chair).
IKEA has two great desk options, the Laiva desk ($24.99) and the Micke desk ($59.99) and lots of options for floating shelves and desktops to create a custom workspace (as in the photo above - sadly that Benjamin stool is on our list of items we wish IKEA hadn't discontinued).
4. Involve your child, big or small. A space they help create is a space they will love.
5. Wait for straight-As, they'll come (right?).
Based on my experience as a mom of three and grandmother of 3 I'd like to offer a few more tips:
ReplyDelete1. The area you set up for your child needs to be near where the family hangs out - a corner of the kitchen or the living room. We have a craft cupboard next to our dinner area where my kids can access their supplies and be creative while I'm making meals etc. Kids like to be where the family is not away in their rooms.
2. Put hooks next to the craft supplies, and hang old shirts or pullover craft aprons - creativity is spontaneous, having the child go into her room to change can take away from the experience.
3. Make friends with mess. Creativity is very messy.
4. Stickers are your friend. For very young children, stickers are one of the best craft supplies. They can build pictures easily and it's the least messy - great for in a pinch. Self-inking stamps are good too.
5. Homework. OK, so this is a very important tip: Kids don't do their homework in their rooms. Heck, even most adults don't do their homework in their rooms. Put together a 'homework' basket full of pens, pencils, sharpeners, calculator, eraser etc and when it's homework time, put that basket in the middle of the kitchen table. Once your child is set up, you must stay there. Sit down and read a book, balance your checkbook, write in your journal. Something so your child feels you're doing your own 'homework' with him/her. Desks are like doghouses. Beautiful and well-meaning but most are never used. Also, recent studies indicate it's important to change a study environment. If you child is studying a vocabulary list, for example, study it in the kitchen one day and in the bathroom or on the deck or in the car next. Crazy!
Have fun with your kids