Going back to school allows us an opportunity to reconsider how our spaces help our kids prepare to learn. As we venture into a new academic year, we offer you creative pro-tips towards healthy homes, conducive to learning and overall wellness. Here are a few ways you could help your student adjust to another unprecedented school year. Go get ‘em, kiddos!
Learning Spaces.
Depending on your child’s learning preferences and subject matter, it may be more productive for them to study near you and/or their siblings. Creating custom cabinetry, as we did for this Bellevue Remodel shown above, allows for a workstation to roll-out of this entertainment wall cabinet by Kerf Design. This allows for Mom or Dad to stay engaged with their Elementary / Middle Schoolers, as they tackle their weekday assignments, while still snuggling up with them for movie nights on the weekend.
Flexible, convertible spaces are key to creating an organized, uncluttered home that can easily serve the many demands of our family lives.
Healthy Sleep.
Kids need more sleep than adults in general, but especially as they adjust to the stresses of a new school year. More assignments are being done online, in addition to all the exciting computer games available. Look for ways to help them quiet their minds and unplug from their virtual realities.
Best way to make your Teen or Pre-Teen’s room more sleep-friendly is to create a warm and inviting atmosphere with natural colors and textures, while controlling the light, using window coverings and dimmer switches (ideally tied to scheduled smart home technology).
Declutter.
Freshening up spaces for learning / play time is essential when starting a new school year. Think about what activities your kiddos will be doing while learning, taking care not to overstimulate them with too many distractions along the way. Curate shelves, bookcases and closets to allow them easy visual access and an opportunity to put things back when done.
Remember - less is more.
Kitchen Zone.
Create a kid-friendly kitchen zone. “Having space for kids to prepare their food increases mindfulness around eating and boosts self-esteem,” the psychologist, Rosann Capanna-Hodge notes, adding, “How your kitchen is set up can encourage not only healthy eating but children taking charge of their own health.”
After all, the Kitchen is the heart of the home.
Air & Light.
Many children suffer from allergies, asthma and other immunocompromised conditions. To support their physical health, allow them to work in larger spaces that offer natural light and cross-ventilation. Consider replacing the carpet for solid surface flooring to mitigate dust and allergens. Indoor air quality and natural lighting can be vastly improved when considering site-orientation, building systems, finishes and overall space planning designs.
Independence.
How can your home help your kids be more autonomous. Think about what needs to be modified to help kids independently manage their tasks and ‘stuff.’ Do you need to rework the mudroom or the desk in the kitchen so they have a place for their things without having to ‘nag’ them? Since many kids have been away from a regular school schedule for a long time, getting back into routines may not be automatic. Posted checklists, schedules and timers are great tools.
“When the environment is set up in a visual and logical way, kids can learn to follow routines on their own without a ton of prompting from their parents, which helps reduce friction and definitely builds self-confidence.” - Rosann Capanna-Hodge