5 Ways To Create The Optimum Revision Environment For Your Child This Christmas

As a parent, there’s always the challenge of helping your child succeed. You feel responsible while, at the same time, often lack control over their behaviour. This can become especially difficult at Christmas time, a period children associate with festive fun and relaxation. January exams can often become an afterthought and revision and work are pushed back - “I’ll start tomorrow” is the classic line.

Parents - one thing you can do to help children succeed is to provide the optimum environment to study in. And you need to understand how they work best. Recent research by Save My Exams showed that almost 40% students preferred revising on their own whereas over a third said with friends was best. 

It’s very easy to underestimate the value of getting the perfect environment and assume that a table and chair will suffice. There is, in fact, a lot more you can do to a space to make it fit for purpose, feel good, and allow your child to disconnect when appropriate. These are supported by environmental psychologist Lily Bernheimer’s principles of good design: people, purpose, and place.

This might seem obvious. You know that your child will need a desk, they’ll need the right equipment and they’ll need enough light to see. But there are several other things  that you should consider to ensure your child’s working environment is fit for purpose.

1. Choose the right chair-desk combination 

Your child’s chair and desk are the most important contributors to comfort. Talk to your child to find out which arrangement works best for them. They might even want a kneeling stool or standing desk to maintain a good posture. That will help them to work for longer periods without experiencing unnecessary pains or aches. 

2. Position your desk wisely 

The best environments to study in allow minimal distractions. Human attention is limited and anything that distracts your child’s attention from their work will harm their productivity. This should inform the positioning of your child’s desk. A lot of people glamorise the idea of working in front of a window, but this could actually prove more of a distraction than a blank wall. A window seat might be acceptable if the view outside is calm and without moving people or vehicles. You should also make sure the space is as quiet as possible. If you live in a busy house, buy a ‘do not disturb’ sign that your child can hang up when they’re studying.

3. Don’t turn up the heating just because it’s Christmas

Room temperature is also important. Your child will feel uncomfortable if it’s too cold and might feel sleepy if it’s too warm. Tell them how to adjust the heating levels if possible. You can also add some plants to create a more relaxing atmosphere. Researchers in Japan discovered that pine forest can improve mood, so a mini Christmas tree could also help while adding a touch of festive cheer.

4. Keep work and free-time separate

It’s important that your child associates their study space with work, and only work. This will help them get into the mood to study, but it will also help them disconnect when it’s time to rest. Working from bed, for example, will disrupt their network of association. They might feel sleepy while studying and then struggle to fall asleep at the end of the day. If possible, their working space should be in a separate room of its own.

Sometimes it’s impossible to find your child a separate space to work in. In that case, do your best to compromise. If they’re working from the kitchen table, locate them at the opposite end to where they usually eat from. If they’re working from their bedroom, give them ways to find closure at the end of their sessions. You could provide a box to put their laptop and study materials in and stow away for the next day, for example. Computers should be shut down when not in use. These steps will all help your child identify their study space with work when appropriate.

5. Keep up morale 

Positive reinforcers will also encourage your child to work. You can add any certificates or awards they’ve won to remind them of their past successes when they lack motivation. You could also buy a wall planner that includes rest periods and holidays, as well as revision sessions, to encourage a ‘work hard, play hard’ attitude.

Christmas is always a challenging time for children to study. But parents who provide a space that’s fit for purpose, feels good, and encourages work will have made it a lot easier for them. Just remember to listen to your child to find out what works best.