How our editor created a schoolwork station for her kids

All good home projects start in Ikea. I love that the desk is designed to grow with your child, thanks to its three different heights. We opted for the slightly wider size so they could spread out more (which avoids needing to use the kitchen table for work).

In an effort to corral pencils and crayons, I wanted to get a storage container that was minimal in design, but super practical. This box from Yamazaki meets all of those needs perfectly.

My kids are super squirmy (aren’t they all?) so I am really excited about our new Active Chair that encourages them to move around. They promote the natural movements of the body and can help improve spinal positioning and muscle stimulation—all this can help improve concentration.

Under each desk, we’ll have a small bookshelf so the kids can keep their stuff organized and books off the surface of their desks when they aren’t using them. The unique design of this book rack with upward-tilted design makes for easy access to books and notebooks.

We live in Pennsylvania so when winter comes, it gets dark and cold quickly—and we all feel the impact of it emotionally. I recently got to try out the Veriluxe HappyLight therapy lamp, and I am really excited for my kids to enjoy it this year, too. Like a sunny day, bright light exposure can support your mood, energy and sleep patterns. The non-UV light therapy lamp emits full-spectrum light that mimics sunlight on the days you need a little pick-me-up.

Having a workspace that I love to work in is so important to me and I realized that the same goes for my kids. I am letting them each pick out a piece of art to hang above their desk and help them feel inspired as they work.

We, er, missed a few assignments last year. 🤦♀️So we need a better way to stay organized. With the Mochi planning notepad, I can easily take notes, make to-do lists or plan our week. It’s made with a sturdy backing and is easy to write on.

Emotions have been running high of late, and I don’t expect that to change when school starts. To help me help my kids process their big feelings, I am excited to use the Big Life journal. This science-based guided journal helps kids develop social-emotional learning and a growth mindset to face life’s challenges with confidence. Through engaging activities and inspiring stories, they’ll learn to persevere and believe in themselves even when making mistakes.