Primary 1 to 5 students will be back to full home-based learning from September 27 to October 6, as part of the Ministry of Education’s response to the sharp spike in Covid-19 community cases. This includes Special Education schools offering the national curriculum.
If your kids are part of this group, set up a conducive classroom for them in your living room, kitchen or home office with these five home design tips.
1. Designate a space based on your child’s learning preferences
When finding the balance between work and play, designating spaces where your kids can focus on their tasks for the day is extremely important.
However, each kid learns and focuses differently. One may prefer complete silence when studying, in which case a spare room may be the best learning space for him or her.
Others may focus better with ambient sounds playing in the background, so the living room or dining area may be better suited for them.
If there’s more than one child at home back for remote learning, invest in some extra desks and chairs so all can have a conducive learning environment.
2. Prioritise function over aesthetics
When it comes to creating an ideal space for your kids to learn, function should outweigh style.
A mid-century modern study table may fit perfectly the theme of your home, but it may not be ergonomically suitable for a young student. Minidesk offers height-adjustable tables perfect for lower primary children as they grow up.
You don’t always have to compromise style for function either. Furniture brands such as Fortytwo build stylish study tables fitted with functional shelves and drawers for extra storage.
3. Declutter and create space for a better learning environment
There may be some space constraints at home, though, if you are still working from home. So designating a new space for your child may be challenging.
You may pack them away in storage boxes or rent a personal storage space for some unused items, even if it’s just for the duration that your kids are back to home-based learning.
Self-serve storage providers such as Yellow Co have rental spaces for as low as $60 a month.
4. Let your child express and personalise
What’s one thing your kids can do at home that they can’t at school? Adding their personal touch to their desks!
Any type of drawing, colouring or painting on school property, even one as small as a desk, can be considered vandalism. But not at home.
Encourage your kid to decorate their learning space by hanging artwork that they’ve done in school or adding simple DIY decorations. These can add more life and colour into their learning space, and act as visual cues to keep them inspired and motivated in class.
5. Good lighting helps reduce eye fatigue
We know we’ve said this time and time again, but lighting is the key to enhanced productivity. Multiple studies have proven that natural and artificial lighting has the ability to improve one’s brain performance.
In contrast, low light induces sleep and can cause mild to severe eye strains, which can distract your kid in class. As his or her eyesight is still developing, it’s essential to keep their eyes healthy by providing the best lighting in their learning space.
While it may sound idyllic to place the study table to face the outdoor scenery, looking at a screen with an even brighter background causes significant eye strain. Instead, fix the table perpendicular to the window to reduce glare while at the same time still having a full view of your neighbourhood or nature.
Want to find a new home that can accommodate all those needs and more? Engage our Super Agents by messaging us on Intercom, which can be found at the bottom, right-hand corner of the screen. Or WhatsApp us at +65 9727 5270!
Contributed by: Hannah Grey
| What happens to the HDB flat when a married couple divorces | Requirements |
| Neither party is allowed to retain the HDB flat | Divorce due to:Non-consummation of marriageAnnulment of marriage |
| Retain the flat (with children) | Parents were listed in the flat purchase application Have child’s custody (care and control) Meet HDB’s eligibility conditions to retain the flat |
| Retain the flat (without children) | Singapore citizenAt least 35 years oldMatrimonial flat is a resale flat purchased from the open market, without the CPF Housing Grant for Family (subject to final judgement) |
| Sell flat in the open market | Flat has reached its five-year, Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) by the final judgement date of the divorce (If the MOP has not been met, you can seek special approval from HDB to resell in the open market.) |
