STUDYING WITH
CHILDREN
UNDERFOOT
* Workshop: Feb. 16th, 2011.
Presented by: Erik Ashby,
Coordinator Student Programs & Services
Weber State University - Davis
PLAN TASKS WITH YOUR CHILD
Silly Putty
Etch a sketch
Blocks
Coloring books
*Consider allowing only particular
activities only while you’re studying.
This makes it a treat for your kids to
play with them.
CHILDPROOF A ROOM TO STUDY IN AND
FILL IT WITH TOYS
 Set aside one room or area in your home for children.
 Childproof the area for safety
 Again, consider only using this area while you study
ALLOW FOR INTERRUPTIONS
 Schedule the kind of studying that can be interrupted.
 Flash card reviews / Key terms / definitions.
 Save the tasks that require sustained attention for other times..
 After bedtime – before the children wake up – etc.
BUILD STUDY TIME INTO YOUR SCHOOL
SCHEDULE
 Can you arrive 15 minutes before class?
 Can you stay 15 minutes after class?
 Study time in between classes?
USE TELEVISION / COMPUTERS WISELY
 Television/Computers makes a great babysitter
 Can you program the tv?
 Do you have the children’s favorite movies?
 Worried about your child becoming a “couch potato”?
 Purchase educational films / tv shows or computer programs.
 Ask them to color pictures about what they are listening to.
Headphones can be
a life saver.
MAKE IT A GAME
 The secret is to choose the kind of studying that your child can participate in.
 Example, while studying chemistry you can use funny voices and faces as you recite different elem
table.
 Draw goofy pictures and make up an exciting story about the process of titration.
 Ask them to hold flash cards for you. Play “school” and let them be the teacher.
 Invent rhymes, poems or songs for your children.
ASK FOR COOPERATION
 Sometimes we forget just how smart and caring our children can be.
Ask them for help.
 Reward and praise them when they are quiet
 When children are included in the process, children are less likely to
resent schoolwork as an activity that takes you away from them but
something you do together.
PLAN STUDY BREAKS WITH CHILDREN
 Take a 10 minute break every hour. Or 15 on and 10 off.. Be creative.
See what works best for you and your child(ren).
 Let your children in on the plan.
 Plan activities with your children that you can do when you take a
break.
 Example.. Quick puppets out of paper sacks.
 Quick science experiment such as catching a ghost in a bottle.
 Children love visual reminders.
 Get a colorful oven timer. Let the child decorate and paint it.
DEVELOP A ROUTINE
 Children are creatures of habit. They love routine. This lets them feel
more comfortable with the situation.
 Bargain with your children. Reward them for keeping the schedule.
 Children may enjoy receiving “credits” for this purpose. When they
earn so many credits they earn a reward.
 Ice Cream with Dad
 Trip to the park
 Activity sponsored by the Nontraditional Student Services/Center.
 What motivates your child?
FIND A PLAYMATE
 Sometimes children can pair off with close friends and play for hours.
ASK OTHER ADULTS FOR HELP
 This can be as simple as asking a spouse / close friend or a neighbor to
watch the child(ren) while you study for a big test.
 Some parents start a baby-sitting co-op.
 They’ll watch the kids for 2 hours Tuesday night while you watch them for 2 hours
Thursday night.
FIND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND
SERVICES
 Sometimes community agencies offer day care services
 Gym (put your notes on an ipod, drop the kids off at the child care and go walking
on the treadmill while studying)
 Special events
 Storytelling hours at the library
WHEN YOU CAN’T DO EVERYTHING, JUST
DO SOMETHING
 We all run into the mental trap of saying we can’t get everything done
when the children are around. That’s OK…
 When you can’t everything done, just get ‘something’ done.
 Skim a chapter
 Read the introduction to the chapter
But if you always study this
way, your education will be
compromised!
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN ACTIVITIES
http://www.educational-freeware.com
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/activities
http://www.crayola.com/
http://www.kaboose.com/
http://www.theideabox.com/
http://www.toddlertoddler.com/
http://fun.familyeducation.com/
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT… YOU’LL FINISH
THE RACE