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Putting Light on the Subject
> Study
Corner
> Creative
Corners
> Modular
Desk Furniture
> Putting
Light on the Subject
> Selecting
a Desk Chair
> Big
Ideas for Small Spaces
> Homework
Corner Sources and Links
Make it easier on your child's eyes
by providing a well-lit and glare-free homework corner. Prices
for student desk lamps range from $10 to $50. Popular choices
include gooseneck, dual head, banker's light, swing arm and
adjustable desk lamps.
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Light
it right |
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lighting for your child's homework area also depends
on the type of bulb or tube you select. The basic
types of light sources are fluorescent, incandescent
and halogen.
- FLUORESCENT
lights are cool to the touch, minimize glare
or shadows, reduce lighting costs and last up
to 10 times longer than other light bulbs. Today's
fluorescent bulbs are available in a wide spectrum
of colors that eliminate the harsh blue or green
tint that earlier lights gave off.
- INCANDESCENT
bulbs are probably the most common type of lighting
in your home. While having a warm quality, they
can create glare and shadows. They cost less
than other light bulbs and replacement bulbs
are easy to find. Incandescent bulbs are also
the least energy efficient light source.
- HALOGEN
lights are NOT recommended for a child's study
area because of the extreme heat they generate.
Kids can be burned if they touch a hot halogen
bulb. While the white light is ideal for reading,
halogen lighting is not a good choice for a
child's study area.
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If your homework corner includes a hutch
unit, a 24" fluorescent strip light can also work well.
Clip-on lights can go where a desk lamp doesn't fit, and save
space on a crowded desk. Some clip-on fixtures can even be
clamped to shelves for additional lighting. Make sure this
type of task lighting can fasten securely to a surface before
you buy it.
If your child works on a computer, room
lighting should be low, with a desk lamp to illuminate books
and other reference material. Adjust screen brightness to
a comfortable level. Black characters on a white screen are
easiest on a child's eyes according to the American Optometric
Association.
The AOA also recommends the computer
screen be placed four to nine inches below eye level. Try
to avoid reflections on the screen with proper placement of
desk lamps and by reducing the light or glare from windows
with shades or curtains.
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