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Homeschooling – 6 Sanity-Saving Tips for Creating Inspired Learning Spaces

September 4, 2021

Homeschooling continues to grow as more parents teach their kids from home.

The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) numbers reflect the trend. More families teach their children from home. NHERI reports increases from 2.5 million in 2019-2020 to 3.7 million during the 2020 to 2021 school year. Customize lessons to what a child needs. They see test scores improve. Adaptable lessons fit around family lifestyles and values.

Setting up your home for your child’s success.

Children need spaces conducive to learning. Use these 6 tips. Turn spaces into an environment where your kids can learn and thrive in the comfort of your own home.

1. Decide what your goals are for home learning. What are your school year goals? What is your goal as a family for homeschooling? Take a few minutes. Write down what you and your family discuss. You are one step toward reaching your educational goals.
2. Choose your space. Walk through your new home. Brainstorm which area would work best as a classroom. Bonus rooms work well for homeschooling. They provide extra space that might otherwise go unused. Look at all your rooms. Private offices or guest bedrooms convert into a home classroom. A section of a room can work as a place for homeschooling. Make sure there is room for a workspace that encourages inspiration. Ask yourself these questions:
   1. Is there enough room to move around?
   2. Does the space provide enough light?
   3. Is there a bathroom nearby?
3. Sketch out a rough layout of the room and the proposed design. Map out where to put desks, bookshelves, and supplies. Plan daily schedules for studying, laptops, and workstations. Brighten the room with inspiring art and visual aids. Start with a map of the world and inspirational quotes and pictures.
4. Save with used supplied. Shop from Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, second-hand stores, and garage sales. Choose furniture for learning. A sturdy table that is easy to clean works for science projects. A bookshelf helps with storing books and binders. Does the room have good lighting? If not, buy a desk and floor lamps to bring more light into the space.
5. Rework the space. Every so often, move the furniture in the room if it is not meeting your goals for the space. Like other areas of your home, switching a few things around refreshes the space.
6. Take advantage of learning in the great outdoors. There is always plenty to learn from nature. Use your yard. Fresh air helps the mind expand. Have lessons at the backyard picnic table. Combine physical education and nature lessons with a family hike. Start a garden. Teach children how to grow their own fruits and vegetables. Breathing in the fresh air is a great way to reboot while homeschooling.

Follow The Tips

Make the transition to homeschooling in your new home simple and smooth. Get your home classroom set up. After that, it will be easy for your children to switch into a learning mode with structure and purpose. 

When the school day is over, the home classroom door shuts. This allows children to relax for the rest of the day. They can enjoy the other areas of your home or play outside with their friends.

Are you new to homeschooling in Central Oklahoma?

Here are some helpful resources for getting started:

• Epic Charter Schools
• Oklahoma Department of Education Homeschooling Resources
• The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI)

Looking for a home with space for homeschooling?

Schedule an appointment. Find out which STK homes are best for your family.

This post was written by Jim Morrison.