How do I set up a student's school space at home?

Here is some valuable information on how to set up a student's school space from Marvista's own Occupational Therapist, Mrs. Kathleen O'Grady-Graham M.Ed. ORT/L.

Physical space

Here are some recommendations for setting up a productive workspace for your student:

1. The workspace should always be set up in one consistent spot
2. The monitor screen should be at eye level, so the student is not looking up or down
3. The keyboard should be a little higher than the belly button with elbows bent roughly at right angles
4. Provide good lighting – natural daylight or daylight bulbs (+5000k) are ideal for this
5. Position the space so that the lighting does not cause glare
6. Face a direction that is free from distraction, such as a blank wall

Seating

Since the student will be sitting for long periods of time, it is important that they have good body mechanics (good posture) when working at a computer.

The student should –

1. Have a chair with a back, and be seated with their back flat and straight with this
2. Be seated fully on the chair with the front edge of the seat being just behind the knees
3. Have both feet completely flat on the floor

Hints:

If necessary, put a pillow behind their back and/or put a small riser such as a sturdy box under their feet.

Focus and Attention:

Here are some tips to help your students be focused and attentive:

• If using a large table, lay out blue painters’ tape to mark out a spot, especially if there are multiple students working at the same table.
• Limit distracting noise by wearing noise reducing headphones. They are available for cheap at Harbor Freight Tools – adult size industrial headphones $2.99 or smaller foldable earmuffs for $6.99. Online stores such as Amazon have them as well.
• Playing white noise in the background, either at low volume through headphones or through a speaker, can help with noise distraction.
• Limit visual distractions by using a cardboard barrier such as a blank tri-fold display board, which is set in front of the student. Staples has them for around $8.00, or one can be made from old cardboard boxes.
• For Zoom meetings, have a dedicated box of focus tools nearby. These can be items like stress balls, or any variety of Target $1.00 bin items such as stretchy bracelets or key chains, or simply items found around the house such as paperclips to pull apart. NOTE – these are not to be used at other times.
• For wiggly students, there are different seating options for purchase such as ball chairs, web chairs, and move and sit cushions. These are designed to let the student move their body while still sitting in the chair.
• Also, try placing a weighted blanket over the student when they are sitting, either on their lap or over their shoulders.
• Use a visual timer to break up the work time. Using a smartphone countdown timer is a good option. Start with the work session being somewhere around 10-15 minutes. Then the student gets a 5-minute break. The work session time can be increased as necessary, but keep the break time consistent.

What to do during breaks: movement is good!

• Run around the house
• Dance party
• Stretch or do yoga
• Go for a quick walk outside with a parent
• Bounce a ball outside
• Do a GoNoodle, which is a good app that gets kids up and moving. It can be found at: https://www.gonoodle.com/blog/gonoodle-games-movement-app-for-kids/

Kathleen O'Grady-Graham M. Ed. OTR/L
Occupational Therapist for Marvista Elementary
Kathleen.O'Grady-Graham@highlineschools.org