Whether your child is learning in school or continuing online learning, either way, they’re going to spend tons of time on one task: studying.

Have little ones are starting grades 1 – 3 this year? Expect to spend about 150 minutes each week on homework. Have kids entering grades 4 – 5? Then they’ll be spending a total of about 250 minutes each week on homework assignments.

Studying isn’t the most fun or easy pastime for most children. So this year, help set your little scholars up for success and build good study habits. One way you can help your kids get in the zone and complete their work is to create the (almost) perfect kid study environment.

We say “almost perfect” because each child is unique and has a unique preferred study space. Some kids are extroverts and focus their best when surrounded by other people. Other kids are introverts and need alone time in order to concentrate.

So, take the following suggestions with a grain of salt and see which tips work best for your child. Now keep reading to discover 5 ways to create an (almost) perfect kid study environment!

Create a distraction free atmosphere

How many times have you sat down to work and suddenly hear your phone notification? Before you know it, you’re stuck in a scrolling tunnel and spend 20 minutes on your phone instead of work. It’s human nature to get easily distracted, and focusing on tasks for a long period of time takes practice.

If your child is naturally curious and easily distracted, create a distraction-free study environment. Think no tv on, no smartphones in sight, and keeping other siblings in another room. Make sure their study space is well-lit and semi-quiet so they will have no outside barriers stopping them from concentrating. By starting a no noise, no toys, and no other activities during study time rule, your kids will start to associate quiet time as thinking / reflective time.

Carve in break time

Kids have short attention spans and need breaks during their homework time. If you’re doing homework with your 6 -7-year-old, expect to have their full attention for 12 – 18 minutes tops. If you’re studying with your 8 – 9-year-old, you’ll have their attention for 16 – 24 minutes. Working with a 10-year-old? Expect 30 minutes.

No matter how old or studious your child is, they will need a break somewhere in their study time. So stay patient and face this hard reality. Homework time, which could be done in 30 minutes, will take usually 1 hour. If you want your child to truly understand their subjects, they’re going to need more time.

Keep both you and your kid’s homework time expectations in check by building break time into their weekly homework routine. As soon as your little ones get home from school, give them some down time instead of rushing them to start their homework. In between their homework session, carve in a 5-minute water break so they can get up and shake out any extra wiggles.

A rested child is more inclined to absorb their homework and actually enjoy it. So prioritize break time over the “get your homework as fast as possible” mentality.

Serve snacks before study time

This is the perfect kid study environment tip you can pair up with break time. Having a full stomach before worktime is something we all need, regardless of our age. So prepare a quick, easy, and nutrient filled snack for your family to eat when they get home.

Peanut butter and apples, cheese and grapes, beef jerky and cracker, Greek yogurt with honey and granola, the list goes on. A well-fed child concentrates better and isn’t as distracted as a hungry child.

Adding snack-time into your homework routine is also the perfect opportunity to make homework fun. Surprise your kids with cookies and milk on Fridays, or their favorite snacks on Monday to jumpstart their week. Little gestures like this will go a long way and encourage your kids to try their best.

Find fun and healthy snack and lunch ideas at our Think Academy Pinterest account!

Teach your kids how to be organized

When you teach your child how to be organized, you’re setting them up for academic and professional success. So have an organizer caddy or organizer drawers set up in their workstation and help them designate a space for each class. Having everything ready-to-go each day prevents wasted time. Goodbye rushed mornings searching for that last math worksheet. Hello organized children! 

Be available

We get it. As a parent, it’s easy to long for the days when your kid can go through an entire study session without asking for help, getting up to use the bathroom too many times, or spending more time with you trying to make small talk instead of sitting down and starting problem #1.

Don’t worry, that day will come. But now is the time when they need you the most in their academic journey. So present and be available. Be ready to sit down and re-work a problem, or explain how the math problem they’re working on relates to real-world problems.

Communicate that you’re there and ready to help. When a child knows that they have a strong support system, they’ll feel empowered to do and try their best.

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