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Whether your child is going back to school or heading off for the first time, the beginning of the year is a great time to encourage positive study habits at home. One of the best ways to encourage your child to complete his assignments competently and on time is to create a homework space that's all his own.

The Set Up
First, consider your child's study style. If she is easily distracted, a secluded, quiet spot is best, but if she's more comfortable working with other people around, choose a corner of the living room or kitchen. Make sure the area is free of clutter and that other family members respect "homework time." While music may be okay at low levels, TVs should be turned off — very few people can resist becoming distracted by TV. But no matter where your child does her homework, the U.S. Department of Education recommends that the space has bright lighting, relative quiet, and close-at-hand supplies.

Two other essentials are a reasonably large work surface and comfortable seating, but these basics are more complicated than you might think. "The most common problem I see with children's study areas is that the table is too high," says occupational therapist Karen Roston, who works with children both in New York City public schools and at their homes. She recommends that the table be about waist-level when the child sits down. "When your child sits down to write or study, her arms should rest comfortably on the desk (or table) and her elbows should be bent at an angle of ninety degrees or more. It's also important that her feet touch the floor and don't dangle. "If you can afford to buy an adjustable chair, that's great, but you can also adjust your existing furniture by stacking pillows or even telephone books on the seat. If your child's feet don't rest on the floor, use a footrest, boxes, or more stacked telephone books. A final tip from Roston is to use a rolled-up towel or small pillow between the back of the chair and the child's lower back to provide lumbar support.

Finally, let your child take part in creating his study space so he'll feel more comfortable and be less likely to think of homework as a chore. Faith Clair, Ph.D., and Cecil Clark, Ph.D., authors of Hassle-Free Homework, report that younger children often work best when they are allowed to incorporate play and fantasy into their routine. Your child might feel less intimidated if he has a favorite stuffed animal sitting beside him to "help" study spelling words, or if she has a "magic thinking hat" to wear when stumped by a math problem.

Computer Smarts
A few additional ergonomic guidelines should be followed when your child works at a computer. The monitor should be level with his head, and it should be directly in front of him, about 18 to 30 inches away. Make sure there's no glare falling on the screen or use an anti-glare screen, as glare causes eyestrain. If your child is very young, consider getting a kid-sized keyboard and mouse or switching to a trackball, as little hands often have trouble using these adult-sized components.

Necessary Stuff
Once you've got the space and furniture covered, stock up on basic supplies. For younger children, also include arts and crafts materials. For older children, include a dictionary, thesaurus, and an atlas. Use colorful jars to hold supplies, or for a portable option, use plastic stackable cubes or even a sturdy shoebox. For kids working at a common area such as the kitchen table, bringing out the "homework supplies" is also a great way to indicate that study time has begun.

The other essential item for all ages is a wall calendar where your child can record assignment due dates and other important information. Louis Colligan, author of Scholastic's A+ Junior Guide to Studying, also suggests that children display the phone numbers of one student in each of their classes so that they have a peer to call if they are stuck or miss class. For more information, visit www.scholastic.com