Did you know that over 90% of people with children in school had some form of remote learning over the COVID pandemic?
Virtual, remote, and online learning took over the schools to help keep children safe and prevent further spread of the illness.
If your child is still attending school online and you want to improve their study space, there are many ways to do so.
Continue reading to discover how you can build the best virtual learning space at home to help your child grow!
Go Where Your Child Wants
One of the most important things to do when setting up a virtual learning space at home is to talk to your child.
Ask your child where they feel the most comfortable and focused in the home. Although they shouldn’t be disrupting other household functions, they should still have the main say in where they study. Giving your child this control will help them feel more engaged in the process and motivated to study.
If your child doesn’t have a spot, in particular, ask them if they like to be around others or alone. You can also ask if they study best near the windows, in the dark, or any other preferences.
Avoid Distractions
A common virtual learning tip to follow when setting up a learning space is to avoid distractions.
If you have a baby in the house or the TV is one during the day, don’t put your child’s learning space near them. Your child will need a quiet area that is free of distractions so that they can focus. Another reason they will need to be in a secluded area is that they will be attending online class sessions where they need to hear the teacher.
Keeping animals away from the learning space can also help improve your child’s concentration and grades at home. Your dog might ask them to go outside or try playing with them mid-class, disrupting a lesson. Consider putting the learning space in an area that your pets don’t have access to.
Customize Their Space
A home school set up for your child should be a comfortable and focused area for them to learn in.
By setting an area that is unique to their interests, but not too distracting, you can help them want to learn more. Ask your child about their favorite colors and characters to get school supplies that show off their favorite things.
If you are noticing your child struggle to focus because of their decor, you might have to make some adjustments. As your child ages, they should be able to update their learning space so that they can always enjoy being in it.
Nooks, transformed closets, and office spaces are perfect locations to turn into their learning room.
Be Technologically Prepared
When it comes to virtual learning, you and your child will have to rely on technology to help them learn.
Power outages and a lack of internet make it difficult for children to attend remote schooling successfully. Many teachers are using this virtual class solution to help keep students learning even when they aren’t in the classroom. Your child will need a laptop, computer, or tablet to get their work done and communicate with teachers and peers.
Make sure that when you design the virtual learning space that you include enough electrical outlets to charge devices. You will also want to consider getting your child timers to keep track of their work for the day and calculators.
Adjust the Lights
Depending on your child’s preferences and where their learning space is located, you might have to adjust the lighting.
When the lights are too bright, your child might get overstimulated and have a hard time focusing. Bright lights can also cause headaches, especially if your child is using a computer or reading. Low lighting is ideal, however, you don’t want it so dim that they fall asleep.
Try to find a good level of light so that your child can read their assignments and not snooze off during a lesson. A lamp or accent lighting might be all that your child needs and is easy to install.
Get Organized
Online learning at home can get overwhelming when multiple people are sharing the same work area.
Each person will like their learning environment to be in a particular way according to their preferences. Some people are messy at their desks while others stay organized. Keep workspaces separate from each other so that organization doesn’t get out of hand.
If you don’t have folders, trays, and pencil holders, it is time to head to the store. It is helpful to stock your child’s workspace area with office supplies so that they don’t do work at the last minute or feel underprepared.
Think About the Environment
Setting up a comfortable and focused environment can be challenging but there are a few tricks to try.
Consider putting your child in a room that has access to a window that opens. On nice days outside, opening the window can help refresh your child and allow them to focus better. A window also gives them the chance to look outside when they need mental rest and don’t want to get overstimulated.
It is also beneficial to install speakers in the office space. You can play meditative or other types of music that encourage memory retention and calmness.
Create the Best Virtual Learning Space at Home
A lot of changes have occurred in the schools over the past couple of years.
Creating a virtual learning space at home for your child can help them focus and learn better throughout the year. When children have a say in where they study and how their space looks, they enjoy being there more and are motivated.
Don’t be afraid to talk to your child about their interests so that you can make their study area a place for them to learn effectively from home.
Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about virtual learning expectations and how to help your child in school!
