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Is the energy in your child’s bedroom keeping her balanced?

By on February 2, 2018

School can provide some interesting challenges for children. They need to study as they grow, and yet they also need to play, explore, and rest.

Their rooms need to reflect these important activities and have a space to cultivate each in a holistic way – not always an easy task when so many homes have small rooms for children. How to balance all of these tasks in their home environment?

A child’s ‘job’ is learning (as opposed to ‘studying’ – there is difference), so creating a space of adventure and discovery is important – no, not “what leftovers are we going to find on the floor today?” but rather a space that encourages reading, experimenting, and inquiry. Their desk needs to be organized and supportive, with a chair that will support good posture. Ideally, they should have a view of the door coming into the room, and be seated with a windowless wall behind them. If they must sit with a window behind them, drawing some curtains while they study can help them feel more settled; if the desk must be up against the wall, have decorative displays that monitor their achievements and goals, as well as the objects of their curiosity (which should surround the desk regardless). Posters of interesting things are great, though perhaps dinosaurs and other creatures that go ‘bump’ in the night would be best in a playroom where they will not come to life as your young’uns approach the land of dreams.

But being able to put ‘study time’ to sleep is essential if they are to avoid feeling pressured to achieve beyond what is truly healthy for them. Having a desk on wheels that can swing away from the wall and be put into ‘sleep mode’ once they are done can help create a healthy ‘now you work, now you don’t’ attitude. (Of course, the wheels should lock so their studies don’t run away from them and thereby fuel a more interesting alternative to the ‘the dog ate my homework’ excuse.) Putting books and papers back into the school bag when homework is done is a great way to prevent chaos in the morning and to provide a clear setting in which to enjoy leisure time. It is not suggested that they study lying on their bed because it creates a fuzzy boundary between school and private time – although reading for pleasure about topics that truly interest them is wonderful!

Books can provide a challenge because they contain so much information that they can inhibit rest. If possible, place them further away from the bed: This will not only limit any risk should there be an earthquake, but also keep them from feeling some looming pressure or sensing ‘information overload’ while trying to quieten their minds. One book by the bed is fine, but a stack can leave them feeling like they have too much going on.

Play areas are best delineated by an area rug, and toys should be put away after use. (Cultivating the habit of returning items no longer being used is best started at a young age and will help children maintain a respectful home space as they age.) Similarly, ‘active’ posters of cars, sports players, and various superheroes and villains are best kept closer to the play area and further from the bed (I had an autographed Darth Vader picture as a child – consider yourself warned!).

May your children have their inner balance and innate brilliance reflected back to them in their space!

About Mark Ainley

Mark Ainley is a Contemporary Feng Shui Consultant and Emotional Stress Consultant living in Vancouver. A former 5-year resident of Tokyo, Mark consults with clients internationally to help them design living and work spaces in alignment with their goals. He also provides consulting in emotional stress management, as well as in the connection between facial structure and innate behavioural and communication patterns. He can be reached through his website: www.senseofspace.com and www.markainley.com.