Why Is The Perfect Study Space Important?

There are several reasons why it is important to create a perfect study space for your ADHD Child.

Setting up the perfect study space will minimize distractions for your child. It won’t eliminate distractions, but it will reduce them. This improves a child’s ability to focus.  The less clutter and noise, the fewer distractions cause their attention to drift. 

Having a dedicated study space helps ADHD students begin to associate the space with “time to study.” ADHD Students do best with routine, although they often fight against it.

In the perfect study space, your ADHD Students sensory needs may be individually accounted for and met.  By collaboratively creating this space with your ADHD Student you will encourage autonomy, enhance motivation, and encourage independence.  This translates to better buy in from your kiddo!

 

Collaborate, Collaborate, Collaborate

No matter the age of your ADHD Student, collaborate with them in creating their perfect study space.

Our kids are amazingly brilliant, creative and insightful. They often know what they need, we just don’t always ask!

Here are some questions to discuss before creating the space.

• Do you like the light to be bright or soft?
• Do you need snacks nearby?
• What about music or other noise?
• What tools do you need to be successful?
• Do you need to be near people or prefer to be alone?
• Is there something we can do to make this space better for you? (maybe a poster, or decoration, or a security item?)
• What ideas do you have?

 

For Parent To Consider

Here are a few things for parents to consider when helping their child set up a study space.

• Location – Does your child need to be supervised? Do they work best if you are working nearby (body doubling)? Do they need to be away from other activities in the house that might distract them?
• Organization – Remember that out of sight is out of mind for ADHD students (and adults!).  Help your student keep the space organized by using labels, bins, color coded things, binders, whatever will help them stay organized. If you can’t SEE it, label it.
• Access To Supplies – One of the most frustrating things is sitting down to get a job done and realize you don’t have all the supplies that you need.  You want to, as much as possible, make sure that all needed items – pens, paper, crayons, scissors, tech devices if appropriate, a pencil sharpener, etc – easily and readily accessible.
• Movement – By this I mean – many of our ADHD students just aren’t very good at sitting still.  Allow for movement and/or fidgeting. Have fidget toys on hand. Get a band that allows fidgeting with the feet! Consider a chair that moves or rocks. There are many options available.
• Visual or Other Aids – If your child needs a check off list, make sure it’s there. If they need work flows posted, or timers with colors so they can see how long they have worked, make sure those are in the study space.
• Technology – Depending on the ADHD Students grade, teachers, etc., they may have technology requirements – a laptop or notebook, a graphing calculator, other things I don’t know about – whatever it is, make sure they have it.
• Flexibility – Be flexible with your student. Their needs may change quickly. Novelty may wear off. Sensory issues come up.  Allow for the ability to change things as needed. Some kids need multiple options. Be flexible and be collaborative!

A Few Fun Things

These are just a few fun things that you may find helpful. 

Please note that these are affilliate links which means if you make a purchase of them, a small percentage will be given to me.  I never promote anything I don’t believe in, regardless of the *perks*.

 

Wiggle Feet – This works well at school, home, or anywhere.  Increases focus by letting kids wiggle without disrupting anything.

 

 

Visual CountDown Timer – This works well at school, home, or anywhere.  Increases focus by letting kids wiggle without disrupting anything.

 

 

Stretchy Fidget Bands– These go under the desk, or on any chair, and allow your child to fidget and move without being distracting. This has been proven to help ADHD students focus!

 

 

 

What’s Next?

If you are a parent or caregiver of a child with ADHD and you’d like to know more, I invite you to book a free, no obligation discovery call with me today.  Let’s chat about how becoming a coach-like parent might set your ADHD child up for better success in the long run.  

 

Book A Time To Talk Today