Fun Tools for Study-Friendly Nooks!

Create a nook for your kids. All of my favorite classrooms have a “nook” in the corner. You can create the same idea in your home or in your child's room. It may be a reading nook, or a “time-in” nook, but it’s somewhere for a child to sit comfortably to read, study, or just chill out. Be creative and find a friendly space for your kids to read. It can be a corner in a room, or somewhere in the family room. Either way, it should be in an area that is conducive to a friendly space to study and read.

For seating, you can place bean bags, ball chairs, or chairs with different seating options in the corner.

For lighting, make sure there is good light, but that the light is not too overwhelming. If your study nook is in the basement with fluorescent lighting, we suggest cozy shades to decrease the intensity of the light which can be a distraction for many children with sensory issues.

Make sure you have a lot of great books and tools that kids enjoy including pre-reading, and beginner books.

You can also have a place for kids to use their headphones for books-on-CD, or calming music. Or, some kids might want to decrease the noise intensity in the room using noise canceling headphones.

One of my favorite tools for kids to use in a nook is the whisperphone, or HearFones when they are practicing reading. These tools give immediate auditory feedback of what the child is reading/saying. These can help with speech and processing information.

Don’t forget some kids are able to focus and concentrate better with a weighted blanket or pillow on their lap. Some kids feel a sense of calm and ability to focus when they are receiving good proprioceptive feedback on their bodies.

You can also use fidgets while kids are in the nook to help them focus, concentrate, or just to help them keep their hands to themselves. Instead of squeezing or pushing their friends, some kids could benefit from squeezing on fidgets.

Here are some suggestions to make a study space in your home.

Where is your study nook and what do you have in it?