Dear Parents,
A few weeks ago, The Atlanta Journal Constitution printed an article “Space where kids can work.” After reading the article, I felt it would be important for me to share with you.
Experts say students need a designated place at home to study. A well-lighted area and a system to keep the paper and projects in order, can be just as important to a child’s success in school as eating a healthy breakfast and getting a good night’s rest. If the student is organized and the family is organized, the rest is easy. In today’s highly wired, fast-paced lifestyle, experts continue to say parents need to be purposeful in creating a quiet place for schoolwork.
Here are eight tips for getting your home back in shape for school:
- Carve out homework spot: whether it is a bedroom or family office, find an area where your child can work distraction-free and make it a designated work space. Stock the area with all of the supplies and tools needed to complete the homework.
- Organize: Use separate, labeled notebooks for each class or subject area. Create files for each subject. Use a calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines.
- Lighting: Take advantage of natural lighting and use an overhead light, but also add desk lamps.
- Storage: Storage bins and pullout trays keep items neat and organized and yet easy to transport. Use clear ones so you can see what’s inside or label them.
- Don’t commingle: School work books, library books should be stored separately from family books and papers. This way it will be much easier to keep track of where everything is.
- Artwork: Hang your child’s artwork with pride; consider framing it in interchangeable mattes. It’s inspiring and sends the message to your child you value his or her creativity.
- Label everything: With more than one child, it can be easy to get kids’ stuff mixed up. And this will also prevent your child’s stuff from getting lost at school.
- Noise: Avoid loud music, but remember not all kids like it silent. Some like background music. If so, go with instrumental, not Top 40 songs.
As always, I look forward to seeing you in the building, have a super September!
Sincerely,
Angela M. Huff
