Kids love the freedom of being able to relax on the floor or on a special chair or cushion while studying.
The simplest and no-fuss homeschool classroom set-up is to just use your own living room!
Each of your children can sit on the couch or on the floor with lap desks.
Lap trays usually include a hard surface for writing and a compartment to store pencils.
They also have a place to put whiteboards, erasers, and other supplies.
Kids can use their lap tray to keep track of their essential items.
This multipurpose lap desk is perfect in a homeschool environment.
With lap trays, children have the freedom to move around the room.
However, it’s still a good idea to assign spots or areas where your kids are allowed to work.
For example, if your children are doing online school from their local elementary, middle, or high school, it’s a good idea to position them with their backs to you so you can see their computer or tablet screens.
First, have the children sit far enough apart that they don’t distract each other.
They need to be positioned in a spot where you can see their screens and monitor their activity, making sure they are not goofing off or playing computer games.
If they are sitting on a low-backed couch that is not against the wall you can walk behind them and monitor their activity.
Teachers at public schools walk around frequently to monitor their student’s online habits.
There is nothing wrong with allowing your students to sit on the couch or on a comfy bean bag chair while studying.
In public school, children take turns on the bean bag chair or other special seats.
A child who has been particularly quiet and focused may be rewarded with the privilege of the bean bag chair.
The same principle can apply to homeschool.
Children who are paying attention and focusing can get more freedom in moving to comfy or fun seating arrangements.
Best tips on how to set up a homeschool classroom – Small Tables And Chairs
Another home school classroom organizational model includes multi-purpose tables and small tables.
Before you start spending money, see if you can use your dining table or breakfast room table or a reading nook with shelves.
You can buy tiny, lightweight camping tables on Amazon or at your local Walmart.
For example, multi-purpose tables provide an excellent option for homeschooling.
A center folding 6 – feet adjustable rectangular table that is waterproof, stainproof, scratch- and impact-resistant; ideal for indoor or outdoor use is a great option for any family.
These lightweight tables fold up into small, compact packs, which look like suitcases.
They can be easily stacked when not in use.
During the school day, you can set up a small table with a chair for each child.
Adjust the height of the table and ensure your kid is sitting in a comfortable chair.
Again, arrange the small tables in an arc or circle with the kids’ backs facing you so you can see their computer screens.
This way, if the students need help with an assignment, it will be easier for you to quickly check their screen.
Since most tables do not have an automatic pencil and supplies storage system, you will need to provide your own.
For very active and high-energy children, a seating alternative would be the flexible school chair like this.
Keep a pencil pouch, dry erase marker, highlighter, notebook, pencils, and erasers in your bag as well.
The bag will provide convenient access to your supplies as you walk around to your children’s learning stations.
You can use the whiteboard to practice spelling words or demonstrate how to do a math problem.
Notebook paper can be used to write notes for your student to complete.
Sensory Breaks
Students of all ages perform better if they have frequent brain breaks and sensory breaks.
For kids with special learning difficulties, it is extra important to incorporate opportunities to move around and receive sensory input.
Therabands are relatively inexpensive options for kids who feel the need to constantly move around.
Therabands are stretchy resistance bands that can be placed around chair legs or table legs.
They provide your child with something to kick, push, pull, and interact with while they study.
Therabands helps children avoid constant bouncing, tapping, or frenetic movement.
Chewable jewelry is another way that children can get sensory input without even looking up from their work.
Chewable jewelry is also known as Chewelry.
Children can relieve their need to chew without destroying their pencils, jewelry, sleeves, and nails.
Chewelry looks like stylish pendants, but they are made of food-grade chewable material that is satisfying for nervous children with autism or other special chewing needs.
Fidget toys are also an important part of a student’s day, for the relief of stress and anxiety.
Especially with the anxiety around Coronavirus, pandemics, and school closures, students need a way to let out their anxiety in a healthy way.
From stress balls to fidget cubes, the internet has a plethora of interesting toys for students to fidget with while working.
Try a DNA squish stress ball, a pillow with sequins to stroke in different directions, or even a homemade glitter jar.
These items help kids relax while studying.
The student may seem distracted while they play with the toy, but they may actually be deep in thought.
Having your mind on neutral and thinking is an important part of creativity, learning, and growth.
Allow children to take breaks to do sensory activities.
Swinging, running around the yard, or doing heavy work will help children stay focused.
Heavy work includes carrying small boxes, vacuuming with kid’s size vacuum cleaners, or pushing a sibling on a swing.
Bouncing on an exercise ball is another example of a sensory break.
Brain Breaks
Whether or not a child has special needs, it’s important to give their brains time to rest and recharge.
Perhaps your child’s online school allows for breaks, or your class schedule is modeled with downtime.
It’s important to allow children to stretch, exercise, or relieve the stress of constant thinking.
GoNoodle is an important source of indoor brain breaks for kids.
Your child may already be familiar with GoNoodle because they use it at their school.
GoNoodle is full of movement videos and ideas in helping children calm down and release anxiety.
You can look online for a wide variety of kids’ exercise and movement videos that are great for five-minute breaks throughout the day.
At a public school, outdoor recess is nothing more than turning kids loose in a large, safe play area.
Kids organize their own games, such as soccer or basketball.
If you have a backyard playground or nearby park, this would be a great place to allow children to burn off some extra energy.
At school, kids usually go outside several times a day, even during winter.
Can you challenge your children to get moving and stay outside, tech-free, for the full 30-minute recess?
While you watch and monitor them, you will get some much-needed time to decompress and relax.
Sunshine in a natural environment is a very good anti-depressant and anxiety-reliever, so take advantage of the time to sit outside and watch your children.
Better yet, join in the fun!
Ultimate Tag is a game that children of all ages in elementary, middle, and high school can play.
Even mom can have fun! In this game, every person is “it.”
Running from everyone, while simultaneously trying to tag everyone, can provide plenty of laughter and exercise.
If a person is tagged, they sit down.
They can be freed only when the person who tagged them is caught.
