Studying in another language can be difficult. Studying with kids can be difficult. Studying in a foreign country with kids can be twice as hard!
This is one of the challenges our RMIT Training students face when they start their courses. Study Success met with some of our students in just this situation to see how they are doing. From our ‘How to Study with Kids’ workshops, here we share our top 10 tips on studying with kids.
- Routine is key. Having a good daily routine can really help keep everything on track over the day. Go through your day with your kids each morning so they know when you are free to help them, and when you are busy in class. This will help them know when they can and can’t disturb you. Getting out early every morning can also help kids use all their energy before they have to sit and study online all day.
- Get prepared. Cook lunches and dinners in advance so if you have an afternoon class, you don’t have to rush to get dinner ready. Reheat already prepared foods like soups, casseroles (with meat and vegetables), and sauces for a quick and easy dinner. We found out that no matter where we are from, all our kids love pasta and rice!
- Finding friends for your children is important. Encourage them to meet with friends after class. If they are studying online, find a safe place for them to meet with their classmates. Check with their teachers so you can help your kids connect. This will also help them learn and practice their English.
- Stay connected to your family and friends. Try to find a time each day, or a few times a week when the time zones align, and you can call home. Leaving your home is difficult, so find the platform that works for you and say hi.
- Find time for you. Being a parent is busy. Find time for you so you can do your homework, prepare for exams, or just take a moment and relax. Popular times are before the kids wake up, or when they are in bed.
- Connect with your culture. Many of our students take their kids to Saturday school where they learn about their language and culture. This is a great way to help with homesickness and teach kids about their culture. One student said this really helped her kids when they went back home to see family.
- Find a playgroup. Meeting local families can help you and your kids make friends and feel part of the local community. Playgroups are available across Melbourne and are great places for kids to meet other kids before they start school. This is also a great way to practice your English and learn about Australia. Learn more about playgroups in Melbourne.
- Find educational resources to help your kids learn English. The ABC Kids app has lots of great resources for kids of all ages, and activities for screen-free learning. If you need to study, try to set your kids up with one of these activities to keep them entertained while you are in class.
- Help from your partner. One of the biggest differences all students said was when one parent was free to help with the kids. When both parents are trying to work/study it became impossible for some to manage looking after the kids as well. Planning this before starting your studies is important and something all our parents agreed was a good idea.
- Helping your kids with English. All parents said they needed to help their kids learn English. Being a good role model is important. Find time for the whole family to speak in English together. It doesn’t have to be every day but practicing as a family once a week can really help. This also means doing your homework and being positive about your learning can help your kids feel motivated to learn.
Thank you to all our students who contributed to this post and who came to our workshops. Study Success has lots of online resources to help you study any time you need. We also have coaching sessions available Monday-Friday to support parents who need help and advice with their studies.
How to manage working or studying from home with children
You might enjoy this podcast episode of Parental As Anything, with Maggie Dent. How do you get any study or work done at home when the kids are also at home? Maggie talks to productivity researcher Dr Kristy Goodwin about her top strategies for working or studying at home with kids around. Listen here:
