Welcome to your child’s new classroom – Your home

Welcome to your child’s new classroom – Your home

Since the beginning of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, children have had to approach their education in a whole new way. At the same time, parents have had to take on a much more involved role in their children’s educational journey. Although schools have reopened and children are once again filling up their classrooms, most learners are still recuperating from the disruption to their education. As such, they are having to work harder and invest more energy, both at home and at school. With UNICEF having already announced its concern over South Africa’s loss of school time, parents and learners alike have a responsibility to create adequate learner space within their homes where learning can continue unobstructed by whatever happens in the school system.

Here are some tips on how you can make your home learning-friendly.

Designated learning spaces

Learners require quiet spaces where they can work and study. This should allow your child to work uninterrupted. Each space should be created to promote a child’s learning experience and tailored to their learning style. Of primary importance is natural light – as much of it as is possible. Working under artificial light makes work visible, but it reminds the child that they are stuck indoors. With natural light, the learning experience feels more natural.

Make the investment

No one works productively sitting in bed. But no one works well in an uncomfortable old kitchen chair either. While budgets may be tight, the purchase of a decent, ergonomically supportive chair should be prioritized. Most adults have the privilege of enjoying office chairs during the day, while children, rather unfairly, must rely on seating that is far from adequate in providing support for their growing bodies. Investing in a chair that will allow them to work comfortably for longer will ensure that they make the most out of the time at their workstations.

Small bookshelves or filing solutions can also go a long way to helping them create a learning space that is geared towards an efficient learning experience. We all know how difficult it is to keep a school bag organized when it is overflowing with the textbooks and workbooks of multiple subjects, so why not help your child organize their learning material?

Stock up on supplies

Having enough stationery is non-negotiable. For high school learners, this may be easier, as their stationery is often less exhaustible. With learners in the lower grades, who are still learning to have fun with education while using copious amounts of Pritt and finger paint, materials may run out sooner than you would think. So make sure you have enough of whatever your child needs to immerse themselves in their learning without having to stop for a refill along the way.

Minimize distractions

Since distractions differ from person to person, minimizing them requires a unique approach for each child. The most obvious distractions may be devices such as cell phones and television, but for bookworms, that copy of Life of Pi may be as tempting during math homework as Twitter is for someone else. A major distraction that many parents forget is the household itself. Daily chores, such as helping to make lunch and washing the dishes, can easily become a hindrance when parents enjoy the extra pair of helping hands around the house a little too much. Structure these activities into your child’s day so that they do not come in the form of disruptions and your child still has time to focus on their school work.

Optimizing your house as your child’s classroom requires you to start seeing your home in a different light. If it simply isn’t conducive to your child’s learning experience, it may be time to reconsider your living situation and begin searching for a learning-friendly environment.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)