For first grade, I would veto it - exception for instrumental music. TV - no way!

As a teacher and college professor, I can say that 95% of my students listen to their iPods while "studying." Some of them are great students, some not. I think if my own child were having trouble in school, it's the first thing I'd cut.

dd will study and do homework while watching tv. I don't care. She is studying and doing her homework

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD likes to listen to "oldies" while she works, because the rhythm keeps her pace, and she's not distracted by the words since she doesn't know the songs. She is an A student, so I'm not pressed to have her stop.

Please don't tell me oldies includes 80s and 90s music?

Haha! Not too often. Mostly 50s to 70s. It actually works well, because my favorite era would be 60s to 90s, so we both get something out of it, and the house isn't quiet like a museum.

To the PP - how often do kids actually study in school? From what I remember (and I'm in my 30's) it was a rare occasion when that happened. As for what happens when they get older? Many, like myself, continue to have some sort of background noise when they study. I did study with the TV on, but again, it was purely for background noise - the volume was so low that it was barely audible, which was perfect for me. Perhaps I'm a little ADHD because I studied much better with a little noise as opposed to silence. I made the Dean's list in college so it can't be that bad, right? (biochem degree, so not exactly an "easy" major)

I veto it- If they listen to music while studying then how will they study when they get older or in the school environment?

Anonymous wrote:One likes distractions, for better or worse. The other can't have any distractions (ADHD). I prefer a distraction free environment and sometimes I take away the iphones to cut down on texting interruptions.

Our doc said music while studying is preferred for our 15 yo ADHD (inattentive) DD. Apparently evidence suggests the music calms their brain so they're more able to tackle the task like homework.

Only for Math.

I find I can focus much better with music. I would never allow TV during homework.

Totally anecdotal, but I always listened to music while doing homework growing up, and to this day, find myself less distracted with some noise in the background. The only time I turn it off is if there is something really intricate I need to focus on, especially writing. For what it's worth, I did really well in school. I wouldn't allow TV though.

One likes distractions, for better or worse. The other can't have any distractions (ADHD). I prefer a distraction free environment and sometimes I take away the iphones to cut down on texting interruptions.

Anonymous wrote:DD likes to listen to "oldies" while she works, because the rhythm keeps her pace, and she's not distracted by the words since she doesn't know the songs. She is an A student, so I'm not pressed to have her stop.

Please don't tell me oldies includes 80s and 90s music?

DD likes to listen to "oldies" while she works, because the rhythm keeps her pace, and she's not distracted by the words since she doesn't know the songs. She is an A student, so I'm not pressed to have her stop.

This says instrumental music is fine:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/checking-it-out/checking-it-out-does-music-int.html

I use to watch TV growing up doing it most of the time so it always took me longer to do homework. I think using these mediums are negative overall. I was wondering if many kids do this i'd imagine a lot, at least with music.

DD is only in first grade but insists on having music on. She'd prefer TV but I totally discourage it. I want to set good habits; She fights studying so I give in for now with the music since she's only six.