A workplace for starting school

It's a malicious truism that everything takes a little longer in the south. In one case, however, it is true: during the summer holidays. While children in some German states can throw away their school supplies at the end of June, in the south their heads are still glowing until the beginning of August. Accordingly, the first day of school falls between the beginning of August and mid-September. In 2016, for example, the period extends from August 6th (Bremen, Lower Saxony, Saxony) to September 13th (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg). Parents whose children have outgrown kindergarten age are not only facing an eventful time. You also have to set up a workplace for the little ABC shooter. In order for this undertaking to be meaningful in the long term, there are a few things you need to pay attention to.

Every beginning is difficult

No matter how long it was, most people still remember the first day of school fondly. The exciting feeling of having your school bag on your back instead of a kindergarten bag over your shoulder; full to the brim with sparkling clean, beautifully bound notebooks and a pencil case with brand new pens. The excitement of who of the kindergarten friends will be in the class and, more importantly, who will be the first neighbor at the bench. These few exciting hours often form friendships that last a lifetime. The good feeling of suddenly joining the ranks of the “big ones” is overwhelming – even if you have to start very small at first.

There is no question: starting school represents a significant turning point for a child. The first step towards working life has been taken and brings with it corresponding changes. Where in kindergarten one's inclinations and imagination are given relatively free development, school runs according to a strict timetable. In addition to structure, there are obligations in everyday life that go beyond the usual six hours from morning to noon: homework, for example. During this time of independent learning, the children are on their own for the first time and have to organize themselves.

The other big change is physical: Suddenly, crucial parts of the day take place while sitting. In the morning we go to school and the afternoon begins with a few hours of homework at home. A quiet place to work is therefore important. While in many families the kitchen or dining table becomes the work surface, experts recommend a workplace in the children's room where the little ones can retreat and concentrate in peace. As nice as it is when parents have their child within reach during the day, the “distraction” factor should not be underestimated when the siblings are doing gymnastics around the table, the parents are taking care of the cooking and are meanwhile discussing a mechanic's bill or the next purchase.

When the child starts school, they get a job: learning

The need for a children's workplace is often underestimated. According to experts, it is even more important than the study room for parents. The reason is simple: the father and mother have already achieved something professionally, the child still has this path ahead of them. If you follow the logic that professional life begins with school, then a student also has a job that they have to pursue seriously. His task: to acquire and deepen knowledge. His payment: grades and reviews. And while parents - unless they are self-employed - leave their work at the company and remain largely unmolested by business matters at home, a student takes a lot of work home with them.

A learning space is not only crucial in terms of performance, but is also relevant from a physical point of view: contrary to their natural urge to move, children have to spend a large part of their day sitting, which can be a health problem for many, especially at the beginning of their school career. Too much time in an unfamiliar sitting position is too stressful for children and is not a problem exclusive to older people. It is therefore important to pay attention to the principles of ergonomics when setting up a workplace.

The child needs a place to work for his job

1. The room
   Let's approach the topic from a safe distance and finally focus on the details. The first question that parents have to answer for themselves is certainly the question of location: where to put the first one Children's desk of the offspring? Ideally, there would be a bright corner in the children's room that at least visually separates itself from the many temptations between the Lego box and the Carrera track. A window that lets in lots of natural light would be ideal. Since there is currently no computer display on the table that could reflect incoming light or that would have to bravely flicker against daylight, the table can be placed directly under a window.
2. The table
   When it comes to the table, the market offers a lot of options. The following standards have become established: Ideally, the table “grows” in as small steps as possible, which means that it has height-adjustable legs and a table top whose inclination can be adjusted. If a table is too big, the child has to constantly stretch their back and pull their shoulders up. If the furniture is too small, the child has to huddle in front of it. Parents should check every few months to see whether the child has outgrown the furniture, especially during the growth phases. The inclination of the table top, on the other hand, should be adjusted by the children themselves in a way that is as safe as possible (risk of crushing) and adapted to their needs.
   Since order, i.e. a visually calm working environment, promotes concentration, it doesn't hurt to have a few drawers or cupboard doors behind the fronts of which ink cartridges, erasers, colored pencils and, last but not least, school books can disappear. When it comes to designs, the market offers a lot: pink or white versions for girls, colorful, blue or natural colors for boys; There are even home offices modeled after school desks.
3. The materials and the environment
   Parents should also pay attention to the materials used. It's often enough to follow your nose in the furniture store: lacquered wooden furniture or chipboard smells and gradually lets its sometimes not completely harmless ingredients escape into the room at home. Aside from that, a good workplace must be well ventilated and lit. Shock ventilation in winter and constant fresh air in summer are just as important as a desk lamp that is opposite the side the child uses to hold his pen and that evenly illuminates the table top.

Even more important than having your own children's desk: clear rules during learning time

Of course, there are plenty of apartments where it is difficult to fit a desk. A small corner table or, if necessary, a fold-up table top serves the purpose just as well - but the learning materials should be stored in mobile containers so that they can be accessed quickly. Aside from space issues, there are many students who struggle to study in complete silence or alone in a room. Of course, company doesn't do any harm in such a case, but it should be subject to strict rules. For example, that the learner is taken into consideration and that there are no disruptions from siblings or parents.

During the homework phase, smaller siblings have time to paint or look at a picture book, for example, and the older ones can also do their homework. If the parents have a study, a small workplace could also be set up there so that the topics of “work” and “school” can be kept behind closed doors.

Whether at their own desk, at a small corner table or at the dining table - when learning, the child should definitely sit on an office chair that can be adjusted ergonomically. This information is particularly important given the constantly increasing number of children with significant back problems. By the way, the correct adjustment begins with the chair itself: The child places their feet firmly on the floor, the height of the seat moves to the height of the knees, so that an approximately right angle is created. The table height is then determined by bending the arms at a right angle: the table top should be just below the fingers.

Children's desk chairs are already available for students aged 6 and over. What they have in common is a washable, easy-care surface, stepless height adjustment, a child-friendly backrest and a turnstile with wheels. If you like something a little more exclusive, you will find small office chairs whose seat can be tilted, the backrest has special support pads for the lumbar region or is mounted on a pendulum. If you want to train your child's back while learning, you can also try a rolling stool: These special children's chairs, which are equipped with a flexible seat, enable dynamic sitting and thus ensure evenly trained back muscles. Given the variety of shapes and colors, it is worth visiting a specialist retailer, getting proper advice and, in the case of online mail order companies, a sufficiently long return period to be able to test the chair extensively.

When it comes to Children's desk chairs The motto is - in complete contrast to school: Trying is better than studying.