How to Set Up Your Household for Homeschooling

Although you are schooling at home, you don't want to live at school. Here's how to set up and maintain a workable home/school balance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Textbooks
• Bookcases
• Desk Chairs
• Desks
• File Cabinets
• Calendars
• File Folders
• Personal Organizers
• School Supplies
• Educational Software

1. Designate certain areas as school space. You will need a bookcase, a file cabinet with hanging files and folders, desk space for seat work, and a larger project area (save all shoeboxes!).
2. Separate work areas from play areas. Toddlers playing school under the table where you're actually trying to hold school with older children is just too distracting.
3. Store all school supplies in their own cabinet or other space. Make a rule that they are to be used only for school projects, or you'll find yourself five pipe cleaners short of a dinosaur some afternoon.
4. Take advantage of other people's space. Think library for research projects, the park for painting, or grandma's house if she has the piano.
5. Set limits. Not everything and everywhere has to be educational. Give your kids a break and don't post the table of elements chart in the bathroom.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry if you don't have a separate room available to designate as the school room. The kitchen works fine.
• Discourage visitors, including your preschooler's friends, during school hours. A clock-type sign on the door with a message such as "School's out at Noon" will help others respect your schedule.