The tradition of using the kitchen table for homework after school and after dinner has been around forever. In the age of remote learning and social distance school, it’s time that parents learn and understand the difference between homework and distance learning.
Why Homework and Remote Learning Are Different
Duration – Homework for little ones usually takes 20-40 minutes. On the other hand, distance (or remote) learning is made up of a series of activities that can last several hours a day.
Parent Support Is Different – When a child is doing homework, a parent should be helping intermittently at most. During distance learning, the child needs to focus on the teacher, and the teacher’s instructions.
Why the Kitchen Table Won’t Work Anymore
It’s Too High – Kitchen tables and chairs are made so adults feel comfortable, not kids. When a chair is not the right size, kids will begin to get restless in as little as 10 minutes – not good for focus and lesson retention!
It’s Not Dedicated – Kids need a dedicated workspace. With a dedicated remote learning workspace or desk area, students can leave a project or activity unfinished for break time and come back to it later. The same can’t be said for high-traffic breakfast bar or kitchen table areas.
No Storage – The best workspace solution for children has plenty of storage for books and supplies. When little students need to leave the table to go find something, seconds turn into minutes and the entire class is thrown off schedule.
Open Concept Means Lots of Distractions – Many of today’s kitchens are designed to be the center of the home with open sight lines and connections to other parts of the home. A child’s workspace should be in a spot that allows parents to help when needed but also positioned to reduce the number of distractions.
It’s Hard To Set Boundaries with Other Siblings – Since the kitchen table belongs to everyone in the home, it’s hard to set boundaries with siblings, and kids don’t often recognize when a sibling is “in class” and will begin to interact with them.
In order to make the most of distance learning, a child needs a work surface that’s the right size for them, allows them to sit comfortably, has the right amount of storage, and can be dedicated to their needs.
Ready to jump into distance learning and virtual school? Check out our selection of remote learning essentials to create the dedicated workspace your child needs here.
