Adults can -- and must-- help kids focus on learning

Study confirms that distractions hamper comprehension.

Published: July 27, 2006 StarTribune

In today's busy technological world, there is pressure and opportunity to do many things at once: set appointments on the phone while driving, writing checks and working on the computer at the same time, watching television and fixing dinner, listening to an MP3 player and doing physics homework.

Bucking that ever-present multitasking pressure with children can be tough for parents. Most mothers and fathers can tell eye-rolling stories about daily, "Turn off the TV and do your homework!" battles with their young ones. It's not fun.

But it's necessary: A University of California study in this week's National Academy of Sciences journal underscores the value of having that battle. It found one can learn while being distracted, but that it is a different, less useful, type of learning.

According to researchers, the brain absorbs information in two ways, declarative and habit learning. Declarative learning takes in information that can be recalled, used and applied with more flexibility. Habit learning, on the other hand, is less likely to be retained and tends to happen when people combine study with some other task.

The study showed that when people truly concentrate on learning one thing, the quality and depth of understanding is better. That means they can use the information later for more critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving.

That is not to say multitasking is always bad. Managing a family, household or workplace often involves a lot of juggling. Most adults are mentally equipped to manage that juggling responsibly. But many children are not, and when they are left to their own devices, they will try to integrate into their school work more attractive information coming out of television, cell phones and computers. In the process, they dilute what they learn from their school assignments. It is no accident that students who struggle most in school tend to be those with the least stability, most distractions and more television watching at home.

Parents and other adults must provide opportunities for children to focus and then follow up to make certain they do. Making sure there are quiet corners for reading and reflection is one part of the solution. But, ironically, adult multitasking may also be required -- to ensure the kids turn off the tube, put down the cell phone and study, all while getting their dinner on the table.