Beyond a desk, what else does your child need to stay on top of schoolwork? Approach it as you would set up an office.
- Kids may not like homework but at least they can be comfortable doing it. Provide a good quality, supportive chair set at a comfortable height for reading, writing and typing on the computer. Also consider an ergonomically designed keyboard, mouse, laptop riser, wrist support and/or foot rest. Poor ergonomics can lead to back, limb and joint pain, headaches, fatigue, and excuses for not studying.
- Sufficient, adjustable lighting can reduce eyestrain.
- Get them organized with a desk or wall calendar to keep track of important dates and assignments.
- Hang a dry-erase board for daily reminders.
- Keep extra computer supplies like printer paper and ink cartridges on hand (no more running out the night before a paper is due).
- Stock plenty of office supplies: pens, pencils, sticky-notes, highlighters, a stapler, etc.
- Provide a filing cabinet and file folders for sorting and saving important papers.
- Provide a dictionary, thesaurus and grammar reference books.
