SEPTEMBER 2020 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 41
REMOTE LEARNING
CREATING HOMESCHOOL NOOKS
Homeschool nooks should have good lighting. (Getty Images)
FAMILY & EDUCATION
BY DONNA DUARTE-LADD
When the COVID-19 quarantine first
started, many parents, thinking remote
learning would be temporary, threw
together makeshift spaces for the kids.
Many have since accepted that it’s time
to make the kids’ homeschool nook permanent.
But how?
Mikayla Keating, an interior designer
at Decorist in Boise, Idaho, shared these
helpful tips.
What is the best way to go about creating
this space? Look for a space that is
quiet, in a corner, or has good lighting.
The nook does not have to be large, but
should be a place where your child can
sit down and feel comfortable.
How can you design a homeschooling
space for your child that blends into
your home decor without spending
a fortune? I suggest
choosing pieces that
can be multifunctional,
like a storage side table
or coffee table. Adding
a small desk with some
storage next to or above
it is an easy way to create
a designated space
without spending a
fortune.
When is a child-size or
adult-size desk appropriate?
The desk should
be about 8 inches from
the seat of the chair to promote good
posture. In most cases, the best time to
upgrade to a full-size desk is when your
child is in their preteens.
Is the chair choice important? Your
chair choice is very important. It needs
to be a proper chair since this helps
children concentrate and promotes
good posture. The chair should allow
your child to sit with both feet flat on
the floor.
What about lighting? Good lighting
is important as well. Your child will
be less likely to strain their eyes and
good lighting will help them focus.
If you are able to, set up your school
nook by a window for natural
light.
How can you make it special
for them? Accessories and
artwork are great ways to
make the space feel special
for your child. Add a fun
pencil holder or desk organizer.
A soft rug added under
the desk will also help your
child feel like it is their own
space. I also suggest adding
a fun weekly calendar on
the wall by the desk to help
your child keep track of their
assignments.
What are the must-haves for the
desk? My must-haves for any desk are
a pencil cup, a desk lamp, a magazine
file for loose papers, and sticky notes.
This story first appeared in New York
Family.
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
