10 TIPS FOR CREATING A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR CHILD
We know how important it is to create a positive learning environment for students while they are in the classroom. Teachers spend so much of their time writing lesson plans, creating activities, and setting up a space that allows students to thrive, but maintaining a positive learning environment at home is also important for student success and growth. We share ten tips for how you can create that ideal environment for your child at home.
1. FINDING A QUIET PLACE
It’s important that your child has a quiet space to learn and work in. A quiet space sets the foundation for productive learning and allows your child to make it their own special space.
2. DEDICATING A SPACE TO LEARNING
Your child’s learning space should be filled with all the things they need to thrive.
Whether it’s a wobble chair to keep the busiest bees moving while learning, or pencils and paper, your child’s space needs to be dedicated to learning.
3. PROVIDING VISUALS
A dedicated learning space should be filled with all of the visuals that a student needs from motivation posters to the alphabet to make your child feel comfortable in their space. You don’t want to make the space overwhelming by being too cluttered, but their learning environment should be one they enjoy going to.
4. SITTING AT A DESK VS. FLEXIBLE SITTING
You know your child best. Sitting at a desk is great for a majority of the time, and can help your child associate that sitting at a desk means it’s time to focus. However, some students need the option of flexible seating either for all learning tasks, or just some. Maybe your child needs to sit at a desk to practice their multiplication tables, but needs to lay in a corner with pillows to do their evening reading. Whatever the sitting looks like, it needs to be where your child is the most productive.
From wobbly seats to seat cushions, helping explain to your child the difference between the choices and when to use them to be productive will help them succeed.
5. CREATING ROUTINES
Routines are important for everyone, but especially your school-aged child. Making sure that children, especially the younger they are, have routines helps set them up for success. Part of creating routines means that students know what they are doing at all times outside of the classroom. From having designated down time to watch tv or designated time to complete homework, these routines are important.
6. BOOKS, BOOKS, AND MORE BOOKS
Having a variety of books is important for your child whether they are in Kindergarten or 12th grade. Books allow students to explore all while reading to learn. Get access to books at any of your local public libraries.
Not only should children have access to books, but they should be reading or be read to every night for at least 15 minutes. It’s important to keep kids reading!
7. TAKING A BREAK
As adults we get tired sitting for long periods of time, kids get tired quicker. It’s important that your child is allowed to take structured breaks, where they can read for a few minutes, do some stretches, or play outside.
8. PROVIDING SNACKS
Kids can have a difficult time focusing on an empty stomach, so having a snack or two during the process of doing work can keep your child focused for longer periods.
9. LEARNING OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM
We know the learning happening in the classroom is so important, but did you also know that the learning that can happen outside of the classroom can be just as valuable? Take the time to explore opportunities that allow your child to learn outside of a school setting.
10. BUILDING INDEPENDENCE
Part of the work that teachers do in the classroom is provide support to students as they are working on learning a new skill or concept, while also allowing them to build and develop their independence, especially when it comes to problem solving. This is the same thing that your child needs from you outside of the classroom.
Whether they are completing school work or working on chores, your child needs room to make mistakes and learn from them in order to build their problem-solving skills and their independence.
