Set Your Child Up for Success: Step 1—Homework Center

In order to make sure your child has everything he/she needs to succeed in school, you have to think about many things, but one is where will my child do his/her homework. I suggest that at the beginning of the school year, you create a homework center. Here are a few ideas to help you get started, but, as with anything, each family needs to proceed based on the needs of their own family.

My first suggestion is to involve your child/children is setting up this area. You would be surprised how willing they are to give suggestions and ideas when they see you want and need their help. For example, they may suggest an area for the homework center that you would not have even thought of. Make sure to respect their suggestions. Perhaps a family meeting would be in order where the entire family brainstorms ideas.

Suggestions to Consider

Where will this center be? The most logical answer to that is wherever is comfortable, has little distractions, has good lighting, and where you can be close by to aid when needed and to keep an eye on progress. Another important thing to consider is comfort. Comfort not only includes physical comfort, but emotional comfort, too. Make sure the area you choose for homework is free of clutter. If the children will be using the dining room or kitchen table, make sure it is free of all clutter.

“Clutter drains your energy – and you don’t realize it till it’s gone. Every item in your home has an energy to it. When items go a long time unused, unloved and uncared for, they become stuck, stagnant energy that actually physically drains you of your energy.”
– Ariane Benefit


In addition, make sure you stock up on all the supplies you need such as note books, notebook paper, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, dictionary, erasers, calculator, glue, scissors, crayons, stapler and staples, markers, ruler, colored pencils, tape, highlighters, and thesaurus.

Another thing to consider is whether your child will need to use a computer for his/her homework. Consider having one close by the homework center so she/he has easy access. For older children who have their own computers in their room, you may have to consider allowing them to do their homework there. If so, the same things apply… make sure they have ready access to supplies and make sure the area they will be working in is free from clutter and distractions.


I hope the information is helpful…next post: how to “help” without interfering.