The Gifting Experts are excited to welcome Shutterfly‘s Heather Hewitt. Heather highlights some of the many personalized products that Shutterfly offers to keep your kids motivated and inspired to go back to school this fall.
It’s back to school time and with that comes lots and lots of homework. Have you ever thought about establishing a specific homework space for your children? It’s important to have a place where kids can focus on their work and get it done in a timely manner. Since younger kids may need more assistance, their workspace can be situated in a more public area, like the kitchen or living room. Older kids may find their bedrooms to be a better place for them to concentrate.
Wherever you decide to designate as your kids’ homework space, consider personalizing it. After all, it should be a space where they want to spend their time. Here are some tips for
creating an inviting workspace for your children to do their homework.
Give them a say. You may be the home design guru, but this is their space. Help them to choose colors and accents that will give them energy and encourage hard work. Then, create the workspace together.
Supply supplies. Make sure your kids have everything they need within reach of their workspace. Every item – including paper, pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, books and more – should have a designated place. Provide everything needed to complete homework efficiently but avoid clutter. A well-organized homework space will promote order and focus.
Place a calendar front and center. This can help your children learn to prioritize their time and remember homework and project deadlines.
Make the space comfortable. A kid won’t want to do homework if it means sitting for hours in an uncomfortable chair. Be sure your children test their desks and chairs before purchasing them to ensure comfort. Also, if you have the room, give your kids options. For example, stick a comfy bean bag chair in the corner for reading.
Add fun decorative items. Once you have the basics, accent the workspace with fun desktop items or wall hangings, such as customized wall art or personalized canvas prints. Remember, the key is to add a little color and flavor without overwhelming the space. If a space is too cluttered, it can create chaos in the mind – and that’s the last thing you want when your child is doing homework!
Celebrate achievements. While it’s still a great idea to stick artwork on the fridge, pinning papers with high grades and special awards to a bulletin board can provide your child with extra motivation during bouts of fatigue or laziness. Remind them that you celebrate achievements in your home and give them something to work toward.
Help your children create a homework space that will both express their individuality and encourage them to work hard. The school year will go much more smoothly for them – and you!
Author Bio: Heather Hewitt is a seasoned writer and guest author who enjoys connecting people with thoughtful products, services and ideas as they relate to crafting, photography, gift giving and personal expression.