How to create your child’s ‘classroom at home’

For children of primary age, it’s probably best to set up their homework area in a place where you can oversee them, such as the kitchen table, although upper Key Stage 2 pupils who have desk space in their bedroom may be able to work independently.

‘A light and spacious environment is a good idea,’ says mum Georgia Handley – so if you can, station your child’s study area near a window for natural light and fresh air.

Think about your child’s chair. Ideally, they’ll be able to sit comfortably with their feet flat on the floor, but that probably won’t be possible if they’re at the kitchen table and have little legs!

Try to make them comfy using cushions if need be, so they’re not constantly fidgeting – or if you have an office chair, you could adjust the height to suit them.

That means no tablet by your child’s side, unless they’re using it for work, no TV to distract them, maybe even no pets in the room! Put away their mobile phone, too, if they have one: we all know how hard it is to ignore the ‘ping!’ of a new message.

Remember, though, that your child is used to working in a busy classroom, so you don’t need to shroud them in complete silence.

Some children might even find homework easier with a bit of background noise, like a radio on quietly or some gentle music.

It’s very easy for kids to use sharpening their pencils or going to find a ruler as an excuse to wander off (and forget to come back!) so before they start their homework, make sure they have all the equipment they need, including stationery and books.

If your child is using a tablet or laptop, have their chargers at their work station, too, and make sure they have the login details for any websites or apps that they might need.

Use magazine files, in trays, pencil cases or just an empty shoebox to organise your child’s paper-based work and stationery.

This will help them to lay their hands easily on the book, worksheet or protractor they need, as well as stopping their learning materials encroaching on family space.

Having your child's homework diary or timetable on your child’s desk or stuck to the wall can help them see exactly what they should be doing at a glance. A visual timetable (where you use pictures of each activity as well as or instead of words) can be really helpful to establish a routine. You could also put a clock or watch on the table, or use a timer so your child can see how much time to spend on each task.

You might also want to stick up a free printable reward chart where your child can earn stickers and/or treats for each task they complete.

Even if your child can work independently in their bedroom, if they’re going to be working online or using the internet for research, it’s worth considering setting up a laptop or computer station in a family area like the kitchen or dining room.

This means you can keep half an eye on what they’re doing, and make sure they’re not being distracted by games, messages and YouTube.

After school, many children are hungry and thirsty, so before they start homework, give them something to eat and drink, like these brain-boosting snacks.

Give your child freedom to use different spaces as they tackle their home learning. For example, you could put blankets and cushions on an armchair in the living room to use as a comfy reading corner, giving them a break from table top work.

Not all of us are lucky enough to have gardens, bedrooms equipped for learning, spacious kitchens with a family table, and home offices or studies, and so will struggle to create a dedicated learning space.

Keep in mind that your child's core learning happens at school, and home learning is there to consolidate their knowledge, so try not to get stressed if you can't provide a perfect workspace for your child. If need be, they can work on the sofa or on their bedroom floor.