How To Marie Kondo Your Kid's Study Area For Better Grades

A messy study desk can overwhelm your already stressed kid when he is revising for exams. Eveline Gan finds out how small tweaks to his learning environment can make a huge difference.

- Eveline Gan

Time and again, Science has proven that a messy, cluttered environment causes stress and affects the way we work.

It may sound cliched, but kids do actually crave structure, says clinical psychologist Vyda S. Chai of Think Psychological Services and Think Kids Intervention and Developmental Services.

“A chaotic study space can be distracting and rather overwhelming for a child who needs to focus and concentrate. Mess and a chaotic study space may also induce anxiety and discomfort,” Vyda shares.

On the other hand, a clean and tidy space not only creates a more conducive and healthier learning environment for young minds, studies have shown that it also helps them behave better, because they know what to expect, she adds.

With that in mind, Vyda shares five pro tips on how to tame clutter and create an A-grade study space.

First, remove items that do not “spark joy”

Japanese home-organising guru Marie Kondo may not be trained in psychology, but she definitely got it right with her minimalist decluttering system.

Research shows that too many varied objects in a child’s field of view affect his ability to focus and concentrate, Vyda says.

As general rule of thumb, keep only the essentials in view on the study table. Materials that your kid does not require at that point in time should be kept in a drawer or shelf, she adds.

Cluster and mess can be over-stimulating and may affect how your kid regulates emotionally, she says.

“Having multiple study items on the table may also increase anxiety and make your child panic,” Vyda explains.