It’s back to school time, and your kids are working hard all day in their classroom. Your little (and not so little) ones deserve a quiet and comfortable homework area to come home to. You can show them that their school work matters by taking the time to create a special space just for them. Here’s what to consider when creating a homework station:

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Natural Light

Kids work best with natural light, and it can be a nice reprieve for their little eyes after a long day under florescents. When building a home, consider positioning your child’s office or playroom on an exterior wall with lots of windows. If you’re looking to place their work station in their bedroom, move their desk near a window.

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Easy Access to Supplies

Help your kids stay focused by having everything they need handy. Professional Organizer and author of Secrets of an Organized Mom instructs that “kids should have everything they need to work without having to get up or move to get it: pencils, erasers, sharpeners, highlighters, lined paper, or graph paper. It’s much less distracting.” Jars, small buckets, drawers, and organizing units can hold all of their supplies and make them easy to find.

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Space to Spread Out

Avoid choosing a desk that is too narrow or short. Older kids especially need lots of workspace to spread out their books and notebooks. Look for a desk that is at least 30 inches wide. Kids want to know that they have enough space for everything they need to get the job done.

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Unpack

Kids carry a lot home from school each day. You can help your child stay organized by adding a special hook or bench for them to set their backpack. Keeping hanging folders or trays near their backpack area teaches them to sort important papers that need to be signed, finished, or filed away. And it’s always a good idea to have a trashcan on hand for all the wrappers, crumbs, and junk that accumulates at the bottom of their bag.

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Make it Mobile

Sometimes you might not have space to give your child an office of their own. Other times, kids need to spread out on the kitchen table to work on a project or get homework help. You can create a portable homework station by filling a caddy with all the supplies they need.