Creating Great Homework Spaces

September 10, 2019

School’s been in session for a few weeks now and if you have school-age children – PK to teens — there’s plenty of time to make this year a successful one for your live-at-home students! Teachers have kids in their care for eight hours a day and their life’s work is all about positively impacting a child’s life. So, what are teachers’ top tips for parents to help their kids get the most out of the 2019-2020 school year?

One of the first bits of advice from teachers and experts is to set up a dedicated area for kids to study and do their homework, whether it’s a corner of your living room or a room devoted to school stuff. Here are some options that will give you inspiration, motivation and a plan of attack.

A Separate Study Room 

A separate room has benefits for organization and study and if you can devote an entire room to kids for the purpose of reading, studying and doing homework, you’ll get high marks! A room offers storage possibilities for school supplies, books, projects and all school-related things – you’ll be so organized – and you can set it up free of distractions for optimal concentration. Christy Johnson, photographer and at Be True Image Design created this family-friendly workspace/study space so kids and parents can get things done all in the same room. 

This combats the drawback to a study ROOM — supervision. Kids still need a little monitoring so they don’t get sidetracked, fall asleep or play games on their computers or phones! You could hang out in the same room and balance your bank account, pay bills, answer emails, or just be there to answer questions and help with homework. Another shortcoming is that if computers are in this room instead of centrally located, all the internet dangers targeting kids creates a greater need for filters, blockers, time limits and other parental controls.

A Study Area

If your aim is to create a study area or space in your home, check out the variety of ideas from clever parents who altered unused and wasted space in their homes so kids could have a place earmarked exclusively for study and to do homework.

The Widdisons of Household No. 6 designed a hallway homework station by installing a shallow space-saving desk with plenty of “real estate” to spread out. The desk is supported by file cabinets underneath with plenty of storage and looks like it was meant for that long wall!

Bloggers at Decorpad made a built-in homework station using otherwise unused space in a hallway. By installing a floating desk, these clever homeowners added a shelf and seating that is out of the way but still supervisable! 

A Murphy desk might be all that your child needs to get busy on assignments from school. This space-saving, pull-down design from Sand and Sisal transformed an open landing into a comfortable homework nook to make the most of a sliver of available space.

For 30 more inspiring homework station ideas, check out the collection of photos curated by What Moms Love. From closet conversions to and under-the-stairs transformations, these homework spaces utilize every corner of a house for what kids need to succeed!

If your child or teen has difficulty getting started or sitting still, follow the advice from ADDitude. Let him or her get comfy, let them spread out and set a timer for 10 minutes. Getting to work for a brief period helps students realize that every task is manageable!

Tips from a Dedicated Educator

Scott Schleich, proud principal of Altitude Elementary School in Southshore offered this added advice to parents to help their children succeed in the coming school year. “We would love our parents to participate in school and PTCO events and activities!” he said. “If you want your child to be interested in school, please show interest in your child’s school experience.”  

Scott encourages parents to consistently attend school-community events, even for a short amount of time. “It truly does take a village to make sure our students have the best educational experience possible.  Together, we can make great things happen for our children!”

School Success in Southshore

The master-planned community of Southshore is situated in the high-achieving Cherry Creek School District with schools regularly recognized by GreatSchools.com! The neighborhoods enjoy anincomparable Life at the Lake and plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Home builders include Century Communities, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers – offering a variety of floor plans in ranch and two-story models, and priced between the $400s and the $700s.