HOW TO CREATE A VIRTUAL LEARNING SPACE FOR KIDS

• 

There has been a lot of uncertainty during this past year with a pandemic and kids virtual learning at home.  However, one thing that I know for sure is that teachers don’t get enough credit.  We went from in school learning to virtual learning overnight and we all had to adapt very quickly.  Each of the boys needed a space to set up and complete school at home.  One boy was in the dining room, another in the kitchen, and a third in the living room.  It was chaos especially with us both working from home, but we made it…barely!  We have always wanted to complete a homework station for the boys, and this was just the push that we needed to get it all done. 

After the initial stay at home orders, we weren’t sure if or when the boys would be going back to school.  Once we did go back to school in person, the boys were sent home at different times to quarantine in the fall and winter months.  Even if you are not virtual learning or homeschooling, this space would be great to have for homework and arts & crafts. 

THE FOUNDATION

The main part of the set up was getting a desk space for each of them.  I searched and searched Pinterest and online for just the right desk.  At the time, I think everyone else was doing the same thing because desks were sold out everywhere.  I finally found these contemporary white desks at Klopenstein Furniture and they shipped locally for free.  Score!  They arrived at the end of summer, but it took some time to finish the whole set up.  I chose the desks based on the size, but I also loved the large amount of storage and the shelf underneath the desk.  The white desk chairs are from Wayfair and they are perfect size for the kids.

• 

TECHNOLOGY

The schools provide iPad for the older kids, but I felt that a computer would be needed in their future.  It may not be long before they are assigned to write reports and other homework assignments that would not be ideal to complete on an iPad.  We opted for the HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop from Best Buy and upgraded the memory.  Don’t ask me questions on that part, my hubby is the computer wizard.  Finally, for the preschooler we purchased a new iPad 8^th generation with a keyboard and mouse purchased separately.  He was mainly watching videos from his teachers and zooming most of the time, so this seemed more appropriate.

• 

DESK ORGANIZATION

This was a must in my planning process because clutter gives me anxiety.  I knew that I wanted the boys to always have a clean workspace, so I opted to use the utensil caddy from IKEA and a wire file holder for organization above the desk.  I also purchased white touch desk lamps from Target and added a cute little succulent to each space.

• 

WALL GRIDS

When I first saw this idea, it was love at first sight.  I immediately went to planning all the office supplies that I could organize for the boys to share from a stapler to blue blocking glasses.  It would all be neatly displayed and easily accessible.

• 

• 

List of Accessories and Supplies

• Wire Wall Grids
• Small Wire Shelves
• Large Wire Shelf
• Wire Hook Rack
• Heavy Duty S Hooks
• Echo Wall Clock
• Headphones
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Blue Light Blocking Glasses
• Hanging Macramé Succulent
• Magnetic Wooden Photo Frame
• Family Portrait by Vim Ann Vigor
• Paper Clips
• Paper Binder Clips
• Geometric Succulent Planter
• Pencil Sharpener
• Stapler
• Tape Dispenser

OTHER DETAILS

Besides the wall grids, I also included a dry erase calendar to keep us on task especially with all the different zoom call times.  Displayed on the wall shelf was also a black and white world globe, flip desk calendar, Himalayan Glow White Salt Crystal Lamp, White Premium Sound Echo, and a few plants with one in a bamboo plant stand.

CUSTOM NAME SIGNS

Last but not least, the final details of this workspace area included these custom-made wood signs from Hickory Hollow Designs.  You may have seen them before displayed above cribs in baby rooms, but I knew they would look great with the desks too.  The quality of these name signs is amazing, and you can customize the stain and colors.  It was surprisingly one of the first things that I bought for this project and probably my favorite too!

• 

The boys love having a place that they can call their own to inspire creativity and learning.  My hubby and I have enjoyed working together on making this half accent wall too.  More on this later but super easy project even for beginners. What area in your home have you upgraded since the pandemic?  We need to start the next project soon and need suggestions.  We are thinking the workout room but not sure.

XOXO,

Trina