Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become unsafe for kids to go to school and attend physical classes. The Department of Education recommends online learning, also known as distance education, as a way to continue the learning process for students of all levels without the need to go out and leave home.
As a parent, there is a lot that you can do to help your kids cope with the sudden transition to online learning. You can start by providing your school-aged children with a comfortable and healthy learning space at home.
Here are helpful tips in preparing your space for homeschooling:
Set up work desks
Putting on work desks can help your kids focus on their lessons and assignments when taking their classes from home. Occupational therapist Tara Martello recommends a chair-and-table situation that allows for the 90-90-90 angle rule: knees bent at a 90-degree angle as well as hips and posture at a 90-degree angle and feet firmly on the floor.
If you have two or more kids having online classes at home, try creating mini cubicles by using space dividers. This will provide your kids with fun and personal space to learn. Adding workspace cleaning rules will also help teach your kids responsibility and the importance of maintaining cleanliness.
Install good task lighting
Task lighting is an essential component of a study area. It enables one to perform various tasks such as writing, reading, or typing without putting too much pressure on the eyes. Create a calm and productive study area by setting up task lighting with table lamps, desk lamps, and floor lamps.
Limit distractions
One downside of homeschooling is that there are a lot of distractions in the house. It could be the toys on the shelf, the sound of the television, or pets running around. To help your kids achieve excellent learning results, make sure to eliminate these distractions. However, always encourage your kids to take a break from screen time every 30 to 45 minutes to help protect their eyes and avoid mental fatigue.
It is also important to clear the study area from clutter not only to allow more space for moving around but also to maintain a safe and stress-free learning environment for your kids.
Keep room temperature to a comfortable level
One effective way of optimizing your space for homeschooling is setting the room temperature to a comfortable level. Research shows that room temperature impacts a student’s capacity to focus, absorb, and retain information. That is why it is very important to always look at your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for any repair or maintenance issues.
Having to stay at home and study during the hot days can cause great inconvenience when you do not have a fully functional air conditioning unit. More importantly, good air conditioning can help improve the air quality inside your home since it removes pollutants and mold in the air. Call on your trusted air conditioning contractor in Fort Worth, TX today for any adjustments you need at home.
