We know that things have been, shall we say, a bit unusual throughout 2020.

We’re caught in the vice grip of a pandemic, trying to navigate daily life as best as possible through exhibiting a bit ingenuity.

If you weren’t performing a juggling act in your pre-pandemic life, you surely are now. 

We’re all scrambling to balance our work-from-home schedule with our kids’ learning from home schedule so we can address any issues they may have with maintaining focus and engagement.

We understand your plight and want to offer a few tips on creating an inspiring workspace and schedule advantageous for optimal learning.

Type of Learner

Before taking any precious time to construct an in the home classroom, do a bit of observational research on your child to consider their learning style. 

Children oftentimes have insight into their preferences and comfort level. 

Have a discussion with them to ask probing questions. Do they appear easily distracted at times and need to be more secluded?

Do they function at a higher level by brainstorming with other people? 

Perhaps they acquire information through listening to others speak, or while taking notes or maybe they’re best left to read on their own. 

These are just a few questions to consider when choosing a location for a perfect space. 

The four most common learning styles are visual or spatial, auditory, kinesthetic or tactile, and reading and writing. 

Auditory learners are usually great listeners, can benefit from lectures, and enjoy listening to music.

The visual learner uses images, photos, colors, and tools for organizational purposes. They tend to express themselves through drawing and may use a whiteboard to relay thoughts. 

Kinesthetic or tactile learners absorb information through the sense of touch. They like to feel and play with objects and tend to work with their hands. These individuals may not be good listeners and lose interest quickly when not actively working on a project.

The reader and writers are considered traditional learners. They listen or read and take detailed notes, and will re-write notes as a memorization tactic. Lists are a favorite method of keeping organized and on a schedule. 

Lastly, a segment of unique personalities may learn in a variety of ways, and therefore, could adapt to changes in communication and teaching styles.  

Environment and Furnishings

Now that you’re armed with a slightly better understanding of what drives your child, it’s time to put your creativity to the test.

Look around your house, visualize one or two areas that you feel would be best suited for a study environment. What decor can be added to spruce up the surroundings?

We understand that not all dwellings were created equal. With that said, we have a couple of ideas up our sleeves to assist with such a dilemma.

Those of you with a living room that doesn’t function as an entertainment or family room might consider using, this as the ideal location for your stay-at-home pupil. Block out a corner of the room, preferably by a window for natural lighting purposes, and start rearranging the space to suit their needs.

Wall adornments are a must from an inspirational and functional perspective and we have a few recommendations starting with, Periodic Table Canvas Art Print by The Vintage Collection. This piece is covered with fascinating and useful tidbits for all of those chemistry classes and makes a great background for all those up and coming Zoom meetings with teachers and classmates alike.  

Your child’s bedroom is another appropriate option. Your child may already have a desk in their room, but make sure that they also have a comfortable and ergonomic rolling chair.

Because Kids require motivation much like adults, it’s probably a good idea to add a decorative element to the space. Explorers Wanted by NASA is aesthetically pleasing and inspiring wall art. Positive reinforcement and encouragement are important for growth and eventual success. 

Although apartments tend to have less space than the average home, there is always a certain quantity of wiggle room. 

Corners make for an attractive reading and study nook, especially when paired with a great view. Find a miniature bookshelf to house textbooks, pen and pencil holders, and some plants for extra oxygen.

For this space, we chose the color-rich canvas art print Honors Mindset by Synthia SAINT JAMES. This delightful image portrays students strengthening their minds with enough knowledge to contribute to our evergrowing society.

Say you don’t have any space to spare in a common area, but you have an extra closet that you think you can fit a desk and some stackable shelving into. 

Instead of purchasing a traditional desk, you can insert three planks of wood into the narrow space, two for shelving, and one to function as a free-standing desk. To add a modern edge, replace a chair with a stool that will slide under the desk for storing when not in use.

An enjoyable and productive workspace should include splashes of color and creature comforts. Dog With Abstract Background by Holly McGee is our favorite example of a vibrant and adorable canvas print. Add decorative mason jars and various sized canisters for storing office supplies. 

Health and Movement  

Mental fortitude and well being are equally as important as staying physically well. Based on research, there is an assertion that the body cannot function properly if the mind is not healthy. 

Keeping playful objects available, such as stress relievers like kinetic sand or a squishy ball, can stimulate cognitive recalibration when a child has encountered a difficult task. The act of changing up a task or action can reduce stress and calm the brain. 

Another way to give your child a little breather is to leave healthy snacks out like carrots, apples, or bananas in between meals or take a break with your child and dance around the house, go for a quick walk, or jump rope to get the circulation flowing. 

And laugh, please remember to inject humor throughout the day. Sitting in one place under duress for an excessive amount of time is not advantageous. 

An optimum time frame for the actual absorption of schoolwork should be 45 minutes to an hour with 10-15 minute breaks for movement.

You will greatly improve the quality of you and your child's life by making these enhancements, to your home, schedule, and wellness routine. Take a deep breath, eat some chocolate, run around the block screaming, and you'll be fine. Oh and don't forget to visit our vast array of canvas collections!