Creating the perfect space to homeschool can be a crucial aspect on the efficiency of how your homeschool day will operate. With that being said, that does not mean you need to have an elaborate designated room for homeschooling.
The key is to create a space that works for you and your family with what you have. That may mean a corner in your home, having a multipurpose room, or having a homeschool only room.
Today, I would like to share with you some key points of creating the perfect space for anyone to homeschool productively.
Clean, Not Cluttered
Numerous studies show that clutter can directly affect various aspects of your life including, mental health and productivity. Homeschooling is a vital time of your child needing an environment and atmosphere that is enhanced for learning. Clutter can be an enemy with precious consequences.
Affects on Productivity
Clutter has grave affects on productivity. I have never heard a homeschool mom or homeschooler say how excited they were at the lack of progress they made in a school day. We crave productivity and productivity with good attitudes is even better. Yet, clutter harms both.
Clutter can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed, which in turn increases the likely-hood of procrastination. This study shows that having excessive “stuff” or rather known as clutter is the best predictor of procrastination.
The presence of clutter also creates visual distractions and while that is hindering for all, it can be especially difficult for those with certain disabilities or special needs.
Affects on Mental Health
Clutter also increases the risks of various mental health issues such as sensory overload, depression, and anxiety. Research shows that the affects of clutter on the brain increase cortisol which in turn create a domino affect within our physical bodies.
Cortisol is an important hormone in our body that helps us regulate our stress response. Other research has expressed concern that continual exposure to clutter can aid in a continuous flight or fight response.
Additionally, clutter can hinder ones desire to invite others into their home for socialization and fellowship. One study showed that clutter reduced one likelihood to invite someone to their home by 50 percent.
Affects on Children
As mentioned above, clutter is not only physically a nuisance but it also clutters our mental ability. Children are not exempt to the affects of clutter. This is not the atmosphere when you are trying to create a space for homeschool.
Our children’s brains are still growing; therefore, we want to create the best environment possible that enables good cortisol levels, security, cleanliness, increased production, and promotes focus.
Cognitively, your child needs a space that is not harmfully impacting their opportunity to learn. They are not only learning the “stuff” in the books, but the environment they are in is also teaching them how to keep home as an adult some day.
Spiritually, we want to encourage our children to do all things in excellence. It’s not about perfection, but doing the best we can do unto the Lord.
Quiet, Distraction Free
Personally, this was a game changer in our home. I use to have my phone where I could still hear the calls and messages come in. While my phone was on vibrate, it was still incredibly distracting and affected my son’s ability to stay focused.
Not only is creating a distraction free zone crucial, but creating a space where a child can have silence. You will know the times when silence are needed, this does not mean silence across the board every second of the homeschool day.
Silence helps promote a child to be able to hear and process what they are learning without trying to have their brains to multitask which hinders truly mastering concepts. Silence also always the child to be able to process not just what they are learning, but what they feel and think about a certain topic. It’s also a great time that God just might give them a moment of revelation and we always want to create an environment that is welcoming to that.
Essential Furniture
While you may not have a room designated for homeschool, I feel that is it still important to have few key pieces of furniture.
Desk and Chair
When we first started out, we had a little square Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck table with two VERY tiny chairs. While we both loved it, it only lasted two years for us. We quickly found the perfect solution, an adjustable table that grows as our son grows.
Getting chairs and a table that fits your children appropriately is very important when it comes to creating a space to where they can practice proper posture for handwriting as well as a comfortable place to do other functions needed during school.
Bookshelves
One thing I have found about homeschooling is that we have developed a nice collection of books. Reading books, textbooks, reference books, and any other type of book you can think of. The other important aspect that I have discovered over the years, is that it helps greatly when we can easily see and find our books.
My guess would be that you too will eventually develop numerous resources that are valuable to use throughout the homeschool years. Therefore, I highly recommend you invest in some type of bookshelf, whether it is one to fit a small space or a larger one to store more in a more designated room.
Technology
Even if you have no intention to ever use an online curriculum, I highly encourage you to have a computer whether a laptop or desktop for your children to have access to use. We have found this an invaluable tool for learning typing as well writing papers, online research, and various classes that need the use of that technology.
I would also like to share our experience with a Chromebook. We had brought our son a laptop for homeschool work; however, one year for Christmas someone bought him a Chromebook. We have found the Chromebook works great for browsing the internet or writing papers on google docs. However, we have run into issues with a few different website or online courses that are not supported to be be used on a Chromebook. However, Chromebooks are generally much more affordable than a regular laptop or desktop computer.
Wall Space
At first thought, wall space might not be the first thing that comes to mind when creating a homeschool space. However, having adequate wall space to display charts, art work, small cork boards or even a large bulletin board has been a critical part in our homeschool.
We have taken advantage of wall space to display various things around our homeschool room that aids us to quickly reference something or even proudly glance at a project well done.
Storage
We all know you can never have enough storage and the same goes for homeschool as well. We have storage for curriculum, pens, pencils, paper, crayons, colored pencils, markers, paper clips, and all the other exciting things that go along with homeschooling.
Storage is a huge component in helping reduce clutter and also makes things so much easier to find. Everything has its place. Here are a few of our favorites:
School Supplies
Lastly, it is always fun to have the school supplies that you need to get the job done. I recommend buying these at the beginning of the typical public school year, because that is when you can find the best deals and prices. Stock up, if you can!!
Here are some ideas of what you may need:
- Pencils
- Ink Pens
- Highlighters
- Notebooks
- Notebook Paper
- Graph Paper
- Colored Pencils
- Markers
- Crayons
- Glue or Glue Sticks
- Folders
- 3-Ring Binders
- Sheet Protectors
- Dividers
- Labels
- Laminator
- Colored Ink Pens
- Mr. Sketch Scented Markers (because they are just fun to have!!)
- Individual White Board
- Dry Erase Markers
- Dry Erase Erasers
- LCD Writing Tab
- Double-sided Foldable Desk Top White Board
Tour Our Homeschool Room
I remember when I was new to homeschooling, I absolutely loved see other people’s set ups. In fact, I still do!! Below you will find our tour of our current homeschool room. I’d love to hear from each of you about your homeschool space. So, feel free to leave a comment below.
Remember, be encouraged!! You can do this (you can do ALL things through Christ)!!
New to Homeschooling | Other Helpful Blogs
- Ultimate Beginner’s Homeschool Guide
- 3 Important Tips to Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum
- Our 6th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Choices
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