A good study area for your child

Older children would do better if they had a private study space in their own rooms, but I suspect the best area for younger students would be a corner of the kitchen or family room. If they develop good study habits when they are very young, you could avoid the stereo blasting or the cell phone against one ear, and one hand stroking their face while the other pretends to be writing something routine!

Sitting comfortably on a decent writing surface will be better for your posture than hanging off the back of a sofa or lying face down on the floor. And if he’s comfortable, has everything he needs to study on hand, and mom is watching and available to help as needed, what could be better? The smells of dinner cooking will only add impetus to your desire to finish your job and be done with it!

If it is built into the kitchen counter area, make sure there is a shelf above it for your dictionary, thesaurus, and other books that you may need for your studies. Either a fluorescent light attached under the top cabinet or a small work light in a corner of the desk will do. You just don’t want me to look you straight in the eye.

If you can do without a cabinet, fill the shelves with cubbies or labeled plastic boxes to store your things. A comfortable chair will encourage you to stay in it until you finish. If you are old enough to use a computer, having one in this area is good for you too. You can easily keep an eye on where you are going on your navigation, without thinking that you are spying on you.