Make a space for kids to school at home whether their eLearning is full- or part-time—and keep them safe.

As schools reopen, plans vary by school district. Some call for in-person learning, others will rely solely on eLearning, and others will educate using a combination of in-school and at-home learning. Families faced with full- or part-time school at home need ways to stay organized and keep their children’s education on track. Here are some ideas to create a space for where your kids can hit the books (and digital devices!) at home and stay safe, too.

Use the whole house and yard

Some veteran homeschool families use their whole house for schooling. The family room may be used for viewing documentaries and YouTube videos. The backyard is an excellent place for many science lessons. And, bedrooms provide the quiet needed for concentration. Every family’s setup is different, so experiment to see what works for you.

When you don’t want school to take over your house

The whole-house approach isn’t for everyone. However, there are numerous ideas for home schooling in a small space. Here are some ways to keep school-at-home activities tidy and contained:

• Carts on wheels that can be rolled into a closet when not in use. Choose from shelves or drawers to keep schoolwork and art supplies orderly.
• Dedicating cupboard space for school work. This could be in a kitchen, utility room, breezeway or mudroom.
• Bins and binders with labels help keep materials organized by kid or subject. Color coding also helps kids locate their own materials. Check out this video of how one mom of five keeps her kids’ schoolwork organized.

Keep your kids safe from cyber threats

When kids access the internet from school, there are usually filters and blacklists that keep kids from seeing content that’s inappropriate. When schooling at home, these safeguards might not be in place.

Check with your child’s school to see what protections are available for kids schooling at home.

Also, educate yourself about ways you can protect your kids online; here’s a broad overview to get started and free resources for secure eLearning.

Bonus Tip: Enlist kids to keep the house clean

With the kids spending more time at home, things will get messier and dirtier. Enlist the kids to help with household cleaning tasks. Follow the lead of this mom who keeps the mess in check.

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