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Show / //7///' / / / / / / / / / / / / • / / / / / / / / / / / PARK CITY PARENT - back to school 2010 Designate a homework hub By Christa Pirl Contributing writer Creating an age-appropriate, inviting study space for kids is a great way to start preparing for the coming school year. The humble kitchen table has served generations of studious little scholars, but given homework's core role in a child's growth and development, a study space merits conscious planning. Design an ideal environment for your children to succeed with these easy fixes: • Younger children often require some help with homework, and being within close proximity to parents not only allows you to keep an eye on their work habits, but also makes it easier for them to ask for help when needed. Often the best spaces are close to evening activities such as food-preparation, but offer some degree of privacy. Kitchens, dining rooms, or living rooms ail work great, as long as one parent is close by and engaged in a task themselves. Areas separated by a half wall, screen, or high piece of furniture all work to give some privacy. Quite hallways, butler's pantries, corners or nooks are ideal. • Studies or home offices can also be great spaces, if one or both parents regularly work from home in the afternoon or evening. Children enjoy being part of their parent's world and can feel extra motivated if they are working together with a parent in a home office. Although such a setup is not ideal if the parent is constantly on the phone. • If space is tight, consider a little-used decorative table such as a console or sofa table or dedicate a section of the kitchen counter. Cover the table or counter area with a kid-proof laminate or rubber cutting board that will protect your surfaces. Repurpose extra space under the stairs, or convert a closet by removing some shelving and adding a worktop and chair. A converted closet is also a great way to keep the area out of sight when not in use. • If your child does homework in their bedroom, make sure there is a dedicated desk only for study. Keep it free of clutter with lots of storage space and keep both desk and chair functional and plain. The space should not double as a lounge or play area; it should always be associated with work. • Make sure the homework space is dedicated to this one task, whenever possible. It can be distracting if all books need to be cleared off the dining table for dinner and then reassembled after the meal. Also, don't rely only on a computer. Always try to provide an area with free desk space for working on different types of assignments and laying out books. Ideally, provide 60 inches by 24 inches of work space. • The number one distraction for kids doing homework is the TV. Even if the television is not regularly on during homework time, its best to keep the TV out of sight. If your child is studying in a room with a TV, make sure they are oriented away from the set. • While it may be tempting to include a study space in a playroom, it is best to keep work and play separate. • Make sure all furniture is ergonomic, sturdy, and not too plush or comfortable. Chairs with casters can easily become a distraction, its best to keep four legs firmly planted on the ground. Christa Pirl is the owner of Christa Pirl Interiors, a full service interior design and consultation firm. Visit www.christapirlinteriors.com and christapiriblogspot.com. 17 V/ / ~ |