Creating a space for your child to learn

When children are working from home, maybe homework or home-schooling, the environment they are working in is so important to their concentration levels.

However, this can also be dependent upon your child. Some children, particularly older children, can concentrate and focus with music better than with silence whereas others need total silence. Most older children prefer to study in their own space in their bedroom, but if they prefer this, it is a good idea to make sure they have adequate lighting and a desk or table. For younger children, try and choose a quiet space within the house, even just the corner of a room, away from distraction such as their toys, television and other chatter.  As an alternative to staying at home, some parents and children find it easier to change the environment completely by maybe going to a relative’s house, a coffee shop or even, in summer, to sit in the garden.

If you are working with your child, try and choose a place and time without interruptions. When you have younger children, this can be difficult, but if you are able to arrange a time when siblings are looked after by someone else, maybe a partner, relative, grandparent or maybe swap childcare with a friend, that is going to provide you with quality time with your child.  Remember younger children will become more tired than older children so take regular breaks to help them get the most out of their learning.