Desk organization: Tips for right- and left-handed people

A properly organized desk is half the battle! In order for your schoolchild to work well, they should have a pleasant working environment. A sufficiently spacious desk, a chair that promotes a healthy posture and things in their place, which is usually the other way around for right- and left-handed people. It is therefore important to consider whether right- and left-handed people share the same desk in the same household. If they do, it is necessary to change the layout of the objects on the desk more often in order to develop good writing habits. Let's take a look at a few tips on how to arrange things on just your kindergartener's desk.

Let's start with a clean desk

Even the choice of the desk itself is crucial - nowadays desks are fulfilling more and more functions and children have less space to write. However, it is important to remember that a child can only write in the correct position if there is enough space on the desk. Thus, a special desk for computer work is not a good choice for them. A compromise solution can be, for example, an ergonomic folding or rising children's desk with adjustable height. The working environment should be kept clean and simple; toys and distinctive decorations belong more on shelves.

What a proper schoolchild's desk will need

We've got the table set and clean, what's next? 

• Textbooks and exercise books are the basic equipment of a schoolchild. For practical reasons, we recommend storing them in a shelf; it is advisable to keep only the notebooks that the child needs at the moment on the desk.

• Paper folders will come in handy not only for storing your children's creations, but also for their work. How many drawn and labeled papers will you find on your schoolchildren's desk? Plenty! With us, you can choose organizers that will keep all your papers together.

• Children usually keep writing utensils such as pencils, pens, erasers, rulers and pencil sharpeners in a pencil case, but at home they can easily get scattered all over the place. The ideal solution is a crayon organiser, where you can sort crayons by colour, for example. You can choose from animal motifs that will delight younger children or classic options that can accommodate drawing utensils.

• Art supplies also have their place on the desks of schoolchildren, especially the younger ones. So, even at home, set aside a drawer or shelf for art materials and only take them out on the table when your child is painting or drawing. Watercolours and tempera paints are easy for children to get dirty, so it's a good idea to clean them regularly, keep them in their original packaging and store them on a shelf or in a drawer.

• A desk lamp is an essential part of every desk. Especially in the winter months, you and your child will be writing homework in the late afternoon, so it's important to choose the right lamp that will provide good light for writing and reading. Check out our tips below.

TIP: Put crayons and pencils in the organizers with the tip up so they don't break.

How to work with light

Take advantage of the natural light and place the table near a window so that the sun does not blind the schoolchild. When choosing a lamp, think about the intensity of the light. A cool white light and a lamp that has an adjustable arm are useful to help the child concentrate while working. For shading reasons, right-handed children need the lamp on the left and left-handed children on the right.

Quality chairs for a healthy musculoskeletal system 

Choosing the right chair is just as important as choosing the desk itself. The chair should be comfortable and ergonomic, just so your schoolchild won't slouch and complain of a sore back. Even so, short breaks for stretching and walking should be included from time to time. Young children, in particular, will appreciate the footrest on high chairs for more comfortable seating.

Table for right-handed and left-handed - what are the differences?

Due to physical needs, right and left-handed kids should each have their own table. If they take turns at the table, it is important to always reposition things on the table in a functional way: Right-handed people organise work materials, notebooks and organisers on the right side, while left-handed people organise them on the left side. It can be a little more complicated to organise the desk if we also have a computer on the desk. Many educators are inclined to have a left-handed computer with a keyboard and mouse designed for left-handers, which must be purchased separately. However, many schoolchildren are also used to a conventional setup from school, so it is important to discuss with your child what will suit them better as a left-handed child.

TIP: Nowadays, there are plenty of tools for left-handed children, and you can choose rulers for your child on our website.

Create a nice and motivating environment

The working environment should not be overcrowded, but adding a few motivating little touches can make a schoolchild's time on duty more enjoyable. You can put posters, small pictures, or even a bulletin board with rewards for completing a task on the wall around the desk. One or two anti-stress toys that the schoolchild can keep on a shelf nearby are also great for improving mood.

How to stay organized and not lose your mind

Keeping a clean and organized desk, especially for younger school children, can sometimes be difficult. That's why it's a good idea to check the desk regularly and, if necessary, help your child with organisation - identifying where each item belongs. You can think of cleaning the desk as a fun activity with rewards. For example, a sticker collection system works well - the more colourful the better. :) If you have a first-grader at home and are just getting used to the new routine, don't despair and start with baby steps. Our article on combining efficiency, creativity and mindfulness can help you with that. School preparations don't have to be stressful if you schedule everything well.