How to set up the perfect homework station for kids
Getting your child to sit down and do their homework is a challenge that many of us face, but it can be made much easier by setting up a homework station for kids.
Setting up a kid’s homework station not only provides your kids with a dedicated space to do their homework, but it also helps them stay focused, reduces school supply clutter in your home, enables your kids to develop good habits, and helps them to prepare for back to school.
And best of all, setting up a homework station doesn’t have to be expensive, or take up a lot of space.
Here’s everything you need to know about kid’s homework stations, including what a homework station is and the benefits it has, as well as how to set one up in your home.
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What is a homework station?
A homework station is an area in your home where your kids school supplies, books, and anything they need to complete their homework is kept.
It typically comprises of a homework table and chair, plus all the supplies just mentioned, so your child can do their homework without distractions.
Benefits of a homework station
Having a homework station:
- Promotes focus
- Develops good habits
- Encourages independence
- Reduces school supply clutter in your home
How to set up a homework station
If you’ve decided that having a dedicated homework area in your home is something you’d like, here’s how you can set one up.
Choose a quiet area
Limiting noise or distractions is the best way to get your child to focus on their homework, so finding the quietest place you can, that’s well lit, is an ideal homework station location.
You can also limit noise or distractions in the area you choose, by doing any of the following:
- Providing your children with noise cancelling headphones
- Making sure toys aren’t within reach
- Setting a timer showing your child how long they need to focus for
Finding a location that’s near a power outlet is also beneficial, so your kids can charge laptops, tablets, headphones, or other devices they need to complete their homework.
Your homework station doesn’t need a lot of space, here are some ideas of where you can locate your homework area:
- Under a staircase
- In an unused corner
- Under a bunk bed with a desk (this is what I’m hoping to get one day!)
Stock it with school supplies
Ensuring your child has easy access to everything they need to complete their homework, eliminates the possibility of them procrastinating to start because they can’t find what they need.
Here are some school supplies that you may like to include in your kid’s homework station:
- Pencil case
- Pens and pencils
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Highlighters
- Pencil sharpener
- Eraser
- Ruler
- Glue sticks
- Scissors
- Notebooks
- Post it notes
- Sticky tape
- Calculator
- Folders or binders
Storing supplies together makes them easy to find, reduces desktop clutter, and allows you to easily see what needs restocking.
Some things you can use to store your supplies together include:
- Stationery organiser perfect for small spaces
- Stationery trolley ideal for storing supplies for multiple children
- Stationery caddy perfect for moving supplies to another area if needed
- Mason jars or a repurposed cutlery tray, ideal for holding pens and pencils
- Stackable trays for paper
You’ll also need a chair that your child feels comfortable enough to sit in for a long period of time, a homework table, and even possibly some water and some snack ideas to keep handy in case hunger strikes.
Add some personalisation
Your kids may be more likely to use their homework space if it has some personalised elements to it.
You can do this by:
- Letting them choose their supplies
- Adding colourful stationery items, or items with their favourite characters on them
- Adding fun quotes
- Adding a corkboard they can decorate
Establish a homework routine
Just like a school morning routine, or an after school routine, establishing a homework routine enables your child to understand what’s expected of them when it comes to homework.
Here are some ways that you can start a homework routine, that’s not too overwhelming, or stressful.
- Set a time that homework has to start, for example after a snack, or before dinner
- Create a list of what needs to be done
- Offer a reward for when homework is completed, like stickers, an extra book at bedtime, or a weekend treat
Setting up a homework station for kids – a recap
Setting up the perfect homework station doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or require a large amount of space, it really needs to be an area where your child feels calm, and can access everything they need to focus on their homework.
A well organised homework station for kids removes the guesswork of where homework needs to be done, and what supplies are needed to get started, it helps your child transition into study mode, which helps your child develop good homework habits and a sense of independence when it comes to school work.
Your homework area doesn’t need to be perfect, a small corner with the right tools, a comfy chair, table, and a bit of personalisation can make all the difference.
So whether you’re using a desk under the stairs, a corner, a bedroom setup, or even your kitchen table, you’re minimising the stress that can arise when it comes to homework time, which is a massive win for any mum.
Want a simple checklist to make this even easier? Be sure to download this FREE back to school checklist to stay on track and feel in control.
What would the ideal homework setup look like for your family?
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