COVID-19 Resources

A Guide for Empowering Our Children for Success in Remote Learning

A simple guide for parents on how to set up your child’s workspace at home, and resources to promote success in this online school year.

Author: Carolina Hileman, K-12 Education & Furniture Expert

Magis kids little big table ambient multi MT680 natural white 02 1

These are unprecedented times. I can't count the times I've typed that in emails over the past six months. With COVID-19 taking us by storm, we have all had to adjust to a new reality. We are finding new ways to connect, work, do business, learn, exercise, shop, and entertain ourselves.

I think the most daunting challenge of all is finding new ways to help our kids adapt to this new reality, specifically their education.

Many adults find it challenging to work from home, stay focused, cope with isolation, and make fewer trips to the kitchen for snack breaks. With kids, it's no different, except for them, it's ten times harder. After all, school is a magical place where children experience curiosity, friendship, learning, and experimentation.

School is where they go to start gathering the tools for adulthood.

I know we are all trying to "make it through" right now. Some days it's easier to keep up with a consistent schedule, and some days feel impossible.

When it comes to helping our children attend school, it's different. We can't just say "not today" or "I'll get to it tomorrow." As a furniture expert, or Geek as I like to call myself, focusing on K-12 education, I thought it would be helpful during this time to gather a few tips I've learned to help parents who are struggling to find balance.

First things first, our brain loves and thrives on consistency. People who are remotely working know or have noticed that having a dedicated space to work makes all the difference. It helps us get into that "time to work" mindset, which leads to an increase in productivity.

Cue up the School Day

The same goes for kids. They, too, need their dedicated space or "cue" to learn better. With most school districts going back to school remotely this fall, it's crucial we set up a workspace for them to focus on learning, as it sets them up for routine and success.

Having a dedicated workspace or "cue," as Charles Duhigg outlines in his book "The Power of Habit," is the key to success.

Learning virtually at home is a new habit that we need to help our kids form. To create new synapses and make the "habit" of, say, going to school online, we need, as Charles Duhigg outlines in his book, The Golden Rule: 1) a cue, 2) routine, and 3) reward. The cue for your child, in this case, is their workspace in your home.

One of our employees, who is adjusting to her 7-year-old son returning to school remotely, says that it's a good idea to set up parent and child workstations close to each other. The proximity also allows you to listen while your child is online doing their remote learning with their teacher. Conner also tries to take small breaks with her son throughout the day and, when possible, go outside and get some energy out.

Maintaining good posture is another critical factor in improving your children's learning capabilities. According to Kerry Canning, an Occupational Therapist at Lowell Elementary School in Seattle, the ideal posture is a 90-90-90 position, as she explains in this article for the Seattle Times. "(…) which means a 90-degree angle at the elbows, hips, and knees with feet flat."

Moreover, a study at San Francisco State University investigating math performance showed that students who sustained a good posture while solving a math problem performed better than slouching students. Simply put, to create a proper learning space for your child, you need an adequate desk and chair.

You can make it more school-like by playing with the desk and chair's colors and shapes, or you can match it to your home décor.

A simple student desk doesn't take up very much space and can be repurposed when kids return to the classroom for homework, crafts, etc. I have selected a few popular models amongst Washington State schools and my all-time favorites by Magis. All desks I've recommended below are height-adjustable, making them excellent long-term purchases as your child continues to grow. The Artcobell Sit-to-Stand Desk and the Alumni Pneumatic Sit-to-Stand Desk are both excellent choices for children. The Sit-to-Stand option allows for a transition between sitting and standing throughout the day, decreasing discomfort and increasing your child's focus and productivity.

Selecting the Right Chair or Stool Height

When selecting a school chair, it's essential to choose the right size for your child. Typically, we do the following:

K-1: 14" high (from floor to seat height)
K-2,3: 16" high
K-4+: 18" high

If you have a very fidgety student at home, a good option is a wobbly or move stool. Both Artcobell and Alumni have great options for this. The Artcobell Mov stool, which comes in different sizes, is our best-seller among schools in the Puget Sound area.

Need Assistance?

If you need help deciding on the right fit for your child or simply figuring out how to set up their workspace for success at home, please reach out to me by clicking here. I am happy to help!