This segment originally aired last September, where I introduced the importance of establishing a “Homework Hub” on wfmz. People are always asking me what to do with kids school books, supplies and on-going projects. The first thing I ask is if they have a “homework hub”.
A “Homework Hub” is a designated area where your child stores his/her school supplies so they have everything in a specific space.
For us, it made the most sense to use our breakfast bar in our kitchen as the girls’ hub. There is plenty of room for them to spread out to do their work, they have a designated area to store their supplies and best of all I am literally 5 feet away. It enabled me to easily prepare dinner, check email, while allowing them ask me questions about their homework or engage in a conversation about their day.
Most importantly, it created a routine. They quickly learned where to go when they came home, and what to do. They had everything they needed within reach so that they could work independently.
What items should you keep in your “Homework Hub”?
Depending on the age(s) of your children the list will vary, however below are some staple items that I recommend having on hand at all times:
- pencils
- sharpeners
- erasers
- ruler
- calculator
- flash drive
- scissors
- glue/glue stick
- compass
- protractor
- extra notebooks and loose leaf paper
- construction paper
- crayons
- markers
- colored pencils
- any other supplies your child uses on a regular basis
Note: No two Homework Hubs look alike. You need to factor the needs of your kids, your designated space and your daily habits. The importance is to establish a system that works for your family.
The purpose of the “Homework Hub” is to help foster independence, improve time management and reduce unnecessary stress, anxiety and frustration for both parents and kids.
Happy Organizing!