Fostering learning after a long day at school can be tough, especially in the early years of school. Creating a study space where kids feel comfortable reading, writing, solving maths problems or working on assignments is essential, and that’s where a dedicated desk area or homework hub comes in. These tips will help you set up a practical and inviting space they’ll love.

A white desk space featuring a pale green desk tidy full of stationery supplies, including pens, sticky notes and notebooks.‍

The Importance of a Study Area

If you think you sometimes have trouble concentrating on the task at hand, imagine what it can be like for an inquisitive 10-year-old. “Just like adults, children, who have even shorter attention spans, need a dedicated space that indicates this is where the work takes place,” says former primary school teacher of 14 years, Ivy Carruth.

“A quiet area stocked with supplies and away from distractions will ensure time and attention are used wisely. A separate study or homework centre will also ensure the other members of the household can go about their tasks.”

Hot Tip: While many younger kids sit at the kitchen table, this can be distracting and doesn’t teach independence. Setting up their own study space is important.

SEE ALSO: Back to School Tips (and Savings) to Make Life Easier 

Close-up of a white cube storage bookshelf featuring books, binders and a white photo frame featuring kids’ artwork.‍

Where to Set Up a Study Space

This will be led by two factors: what sort of space you have available in your home and what your child needs to perform at their best.

“Are they going to daydream if they’re left alone for too long?” asks Ivy. “Are they going to become anxious or resentful if you check on them too much? Remember, checking on them doesn’t have to be an interruption; it can be done quietly and without their even being aware of the supervision. Some kiddos need more accountability and some can manage on their own.”

If you’ve got more than one school-aged child and have the capacity, it’s best for them to have separate study spaces, usually in the corner of their bedrooms. If you have a little-used dining room or other quiet area, this could also double as a homework hub.

For Ketki Bhandari, teaching associate with the Faculty of Education at Monash University, a study area that is calm and quiet will have the maximum impact. “It helps children unwind from a busy day at kindergarten or school, and provides them with time to relax and settle down mentally and emotionally,” she wrote in a 2023 article for Monash Lens. 

“The main purpose of having this quiet space is to help children work silently, because it’s in these moments of silence that existing learning is consolidated and something new is created.”

What to Try

SEE ALSO: 20 Expert Homework Help Tips to Improve Study Skills

Shot of a colourful study space, featuring a desk, pink office chair with backpack resting on it, and storage baskets.  ‍

The Equipment Needed for a Study Space

It’s hard to resist the urge to buy a desk and chair they’ll grow into, but primary school-aged children need a homework hub that’s ergonomically sound. 

So, what does that mean? When at their desk, they should be able to sit up straight with their feet flat on the floor and their knees level with their hips (or slightly below). Their elbows should be at their side and bent at 90 degrees or more. If they use a laptop for their homework, its screen should be about an arm’s length away and eye level about five to eight centimetres below the top of the screen.

The Study Essentials 

Having specific spots to store stationery, tech accessories and art supplies will help keep kids organised.

“Baskets and bins work well for storing electronics and papers,” says Ivy. “When you have a place for everything to go, it’s easier to keep it tidy. And that’s something they should be in charge of, not you. Create the expectation that the office is straightened at the end of the homework session.”

A large bookshelf for storing their schoolwork as well as books and toys will make the study area feel like part of their room, while a plush rug or cosy beanbag will give them a spot to spread out and read or draw.

Consider a recycle bin, whiteboard and dry-erase markers, a wall calendar to visually track important projects, highlighters, containers and pen cups to store bits and bobs in. Having index cards to write down research notes while studying for assignments or to use for presentations, a variety of coloured pens, as well as Post-it notes and dispensers, are always handy to have on-hand. 

What to Try

A pale blue wall featuring three assorted picture frames full of colourful abstract art and a typographic piece saying YAY!

 

Encourage Them to Make It Personal

“The more invested they are in their space, the more willing they’ll be to make good use of it,” says Ivy.

Look for essentials and accessories in their favourite colour to help give the study space an overriding theme. Add a pinboard where they can show off favourite cards or a piece of their own artwork of which they’re particularly proud. Ask them if they want to frame a photo of the family or their dog to put on their desk, and watch them at work.

What to Try

SEE ALSO: How to Make The Most of a Study Group