Studying at the Kitchen Table: Pros and Cons

My young children want to study at the kitchen table while I'm cooking dinner. Is this too distracting for them? - Seeking a Study Area
Answer: There is no one perfect study area for young children or children of any age. All the study-skills books seem to recommend an area out of major traffic patterns and away from such distractions as the television and windows overlooking a lot of activity.
The kitchen table is often an excellent choice for young children. At this age, they frequently need some help in deciding how to approach their homework and in understanding directions. With a parent busy at meal preparation, they are not likely to demand or receive too much aid.
For older children, the kitchen table can remain a good choice as parents can clearly see their children are staying on task rather than being drawn into other more attractive activities in their room or a family room.