How to up your “remote learning” game
School looks a little different this year, and like most of you, my kids will be learning remotely. The pandemic caught us by complete surprise in April and no one was prepared, including me as a mom and designer.
After analyzing the obstacles and difficulties my kids faced during the last months of remote learning, I was able to determine the strategies I would use to improve their learning experience. Back in April, I just placed an adult folding table in the playroom and used some chairs from our dining room to have a work area. The table and chair were great for me, but my kids had their legs hanging all day and struggled to write and read in a proper position. I knew as a designer they needed a space suitable for their height and age.
I also noticed they werent paying attention because we were in the playroom with all the toys just staring at them, calling their name, and wanting to play. I have a baby, who was also a distraction and took naps, I would have to constantly be asking the older ones to lower their voice and was the worst teacher by not letting them express themselves.
If you struggled with this as well, I found a solution to your problems: create a space designated for learning. The best part is I assembled it in about 2 hours and spent $125 per workspace. Here is what you need:
FIND THE SPACE IN YOUR HOME: I used one side of our guest bedroom/gym. I chose this room because it’s quiet, it is away from the toys, napping kiddos and has great light. You don’t need a large area for a small child, just enough so they are comfortable and have space to stretch out. I would not recommend their bedroom, high traffic areas, or playrooms.
BUY OR MOVE FURNITURE INTO PLACE: Bellow you can find the links for the items I used for this room if you are interested in recreating it. If you are moving things you already own, take into account your kid’s height and needs. The space I created is great for children from Kindergarten-Second grade. Older kids will need a higher table and chair, they also might need a deeper desk to accommodate their computer, books, and notebooks.
MAKE IT SIMPLE: If I learned anything from last school year, is in fact “less is more”. Your study area should have a place for everything, if something doesn’t have a designated place it will end up making a messy work area. Go over the needs of your child to have a better idea of what they use daily and think of storage solutions for those items. The pegboard I used is great for this thanks to its versatility.
MAKE IT FUN: Use colors, create patterns, allow space for display and personalization. Involve your kids in the process and let them make it their own. We enjoyed making robot faces with the cupholders on the pegboard. Do you see it?
Last, remember we are in this together. Now is the time to be patient with our teachers and especially our kids who are also going through these challenging times. Set them up for success with a learning area they can enjoy and grow. Never underestimate the power of a well-designed space, it can improve the way you live and in this case the way you learn. If you need any help designing your homeschool space or any other room in your house, check out my new virtual service.
Have a stellar school year everyone!
