What Is Considered a Child's Living Area?

A child's living area refers to the place where he sleeps, eats meals, plays and participates in other activities such as watching television and doing homework. The U.S. Department of Family Services sets specific guidelines for foster care homes. While family homes might have a little more leeway, the department's guidelines are still good standards for setting up a child's living area. They might be used by social workers checking a complaint.

  1. Minimum Foster Home Requirements

    • Department of Family Services Foster Care rules state that no more than two children should share a bedroom. Children over the age of 5 must be of the same gender. Except for infants, children shall not share a room with an adult. No room used as a bedroom should be used for other purposes, such as hallways, storage areas, unfinished basements or out-buildings. Other parts of the home shall be clean, sanitary and in good repair.

    Furnishings for a Child's Room

    • The Virginia Social Services Child and Family Services Manual provides the following criteria for a child's room: A comfortable place to sleep, storage for clothing and personal possessions, room for recreational activities and access to a toilet and basin. It should be noted that federal regulations for foster care state that there should be at least one bathroom in the foster home with a working toilet, shower and sink. The VSS manual goes on to add that children's rooms should be heated and that there should be adequate light for homework.

    Poverty and Personal Space

    • Family homes might not always be able to provide these minimal foster care standards. The National Center for Children in Poverty states that 45 percent of children in the United States live in homes where the income is below $23,000 a year. A University of Florida Extension Office publication, "Stepping Stones for Step Families," recommends that even when children cannot have a room of their own, that they should have a space that belongs just to them. This could be a shelf, a desk or even a personal box, as long as it is the child's private space.

    Keep It Simple

    • Parents usually want the very best for their children. Occasionally, this means that a child's room becomes overloaded with toys, clothing, games and books. An HGTV article, "Declutter a Child's Room," makes suggestions for helping youngsters keep a tidy space. Help the child sort out items to keep, throw away and store. Provide boxes for toys, such as interlocking blocks, that have multiple tiny parts. Periodically, do a parental cleaning mission into your child's room. It seems invasive, but it can help junior housekeepers get on top of their personal clutter.

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