Learning Station for Learning from Home

As we get ready to start the school year in remote learning, we decided to create remote learning stations for each of our school-age children. We knew that they would each need their own space for their device as well as any workbooks and materials. Plus, we wanted them located where we had easy viewing of their devices and what they worked on during school.

And of course, we didn’t want to be tripping over all their extra school supplies at home. Nor did we want to be constantly cleaning up their school either. All of this led to a few changes in our home.

Determine Where to Learn

First, we moved from a kitchen table to a breakfast bar overlooking our backyard. This would allow all our children to sit facing the backyard, while providing us easy access to walk past their devices and see what they were working on. This was a must have requirement for our children. They all are so very good at multitasking and need reminders to stay with their teacher and work. And since the teacher cannot actually see what they are all doing in their own homes, it was easiest to set them up so that we had an easy view.

This presented the problem of having 3 children sitting near each other but each learning something different. We knew they would each need headphones with a microphone so that each child could hear just his/her class and limit the distractions of their siblings’ classes as well. So we purchased 3 different colored headsets and matched the colors to their device case colors for ease. The color coding helped us to keep everything organized and limited the fighting over whose belonged to whom.

If your child is struggling with remote learning, read our post on Remote Learning – Child Lost for more tips. We actually link to our extra headphones here too!

Make each their own Space with a Remote Learning Station

Now that we had the hardware, we knew that they would each need their own space that was clearly marked. We happened to have a large amazon box. We quickly cut the front of the box off and then cut the box into 3 pieces – 1 for each child. The back and sides of the box became the self standing remote learning station. This made a clearly defined workspace for each child while allowing an area that could be customized for them.

If you don’t happen to have a large box at home, you can also buy trifold boards. We suggest cutting one in half to create two different boards. This will save you money in the long run. Now that you have the board, it’s time to turn it into a learning board.

Our Remote Learning Boards

On each board, we added 2 – 3 command hooks, depending on what each child wanted to have on their board. 1 command hook held their pencil bag with pencils, dry erase markers, pens, highlighters. A second command hook held their scissors. The 3rd command hook held a crayon, colored pencil, or marker box, whichever the child was most likely to use. This helped to keep their supplies organized and within their reach.

We also personalized the learning board for each child. We added their class schedules with the google meet codes to access each class. This helps your child to access their classes without support. Each child could also add any extra notes or paper they would need often throughout their day. This lets you really personalize the board to your child’s special needs.

For my kindergartener, we added pictures by each class for ease. Then each child was able to add any common resources that they would need. Our kindergartener could have his letter cards and sight word cards right at his seat. The third grader wanted to add math words in writing for ease of spelling the math words. The fifth grader prefers post-it notes to write herself notes throughout the day on important things.

Storage of Supplies

All books, workbooks, and folders are kept in a bin near their remote learning station. This keeps the working area more clear for our children and they only take out what they need. We keep a folder for each class per child that has their current materials in it. Then we keep an additional folder with all the extra materials that the teachers send home that will be used later in the year. This way our children are only needing their current material folders and aren’t getting lost in a sea of paperwork. Store the folder either with a clip to their board or in their material bin.

Be sure to find a space to keep their supply bins. We kept ours right under their desks. This kept the materials close but out of the way. Easy enough to get quickly without taking up too much space where they work.

Flexibility with Remote Learning Stations is Key

As our children need different things or their classes change, we can easily update their boards or change out their folders to better fit their needs. The goal is flexibility with everything so that they can personalize their own work space to fit their needs while keeping them safe on their devices.

As both teachers and students become more experienced with remote learning, expect things to change. Teachers will want to try new experiences with their class and find new ways to access student work. As these changes come to play, you don’t want to recreate your entire system. Instead, replace, add, and change what is or is not working. Little tweaks will go a long way to helping your child be successful this year.

Have you created your own remote learning station? Thinking about creating a remote learning station? Drop us a comment below and let us know. Sign up for our newsletter for specific parenting supports for helping your child and the occasional free resource for families.

Hi, I’m Nicole.

Here at Creatingbutterflies we provide families with practical solutions to real life problems for everything parenting, scouting, dual language, and enjoying time outdoors. We are a family of 6 with 4 wonderful becoming bilingual children who loves scouting, camping, and hiking with their family. Mom is an educator and dad is a firefighter/paramedic.