Prairie Dawn Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I'm torn between insisting on neatness or appreciating creativity. :glare: Typically the doodles are in the margin of a math or other workbook page. I'm curious what others do. My dc are elementary ages, if that makes a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrindam Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Yes. Doodles help us think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I held out for doodles on a separate note pad. It was way too difficult to decipher their work as it was, never mind with an upper layer of art! Time to turn off this message board, after I glanced at the thread title and "read" the final word as "drooling"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Yes. At first I kinda cringed and thought maybe I should discourage it, but then I thought about it and really couldn't come up with a good argument against it. And I was a doodler. Still am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I allowed doodling on note-taking, daily math assignments and workbook pages, etc. On things like tests and final essays or projects, no. We get a kick out of looking at those old doodles now. :) My daughters in college still doodle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Doodling on a test? No. Doodling on daily assignments? Sure as long as it doesn't cover up the work or make it hard for my fragmented eyesight. Love the doodles. Some great ideas and art in those doodles. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xixstar Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I would. I doodle on almost everything and even find it more centering meeting for worship too. For tests, if I had to delay turning it in , it would be doodled on too. Now a final writen report, not so much or any formal project. But day to day stuff, sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertflower Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I provide a separate sheet of paper(s) for the doodling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Doodling helps your brain process information or somesuch. I read it somewhere and it stuck with me...but only a little bit, as you can see by the specificity of my recall on the topic. I have one child who fills pages and pages with doodles, usually scrap paper and rarely on his schoolwork. He draws weird little guys and writes words like "fat" and "poop". He once wrote "Mom is not fat." in cursive and print. Well, alright then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 My kids are allow to doodle. They tend to doodle for math and science rather than language arts. The only paper they are not allowed to doodle on is their homework for outside classes as a sign of respect for their teacher (even though I am sure their current teachers won't mind) I doodle during exams on scrap paper provided. It kept me from falling asleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelotmom Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Not if they're spending more time making each letter/number into a little creature than actually doing the work. Beyond that, it doesn't really bother me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolamum Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 There's a doodle spot in the planner. Doodling in textbooks or other "official" work is not permitted. My rule is, "I expect it to be neat or I'm taking points off." Harsh? Probably, but here's the thing, I don't think a Professor wants to sort through the doodle to find the work either, kwim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelenNotOfTroy Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Like the above, as long as the doodling doesn't obscure the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clear Creek Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 One of my kids is a doodler. She explained to me recently that she can't stand to have blank space on her paper, she feels compelled to fill it in. She only doodles in her math workbook (MUS - lots of white space!), though, so I am not concerned that it will follow her to college - they don't use math workbooks in college. My husband is also a doodler, and it doesn't seem to have harmed him as an adult. He claims it helps him focus and process what other people are saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuovonne Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 One of my kids is a doodler. The other is not. I couldn't stop my doodler if I tried. She even doodles when reading a textbook on her iPad (the app has annotation tools). I chide her when she spends more time on the doodles than the actual work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 My kids draw all day outside of school time. I don't have a problem with actual doodling (my oldest turns every circled answer into a dragon eye).... but DD also is a scribbler. Meaning, she isn't just doodling, she's filling huge swaths of blank space with pencil shading. Which smears and looks terribly junky. I do not allow that, but the occasional small drawing or design - sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I agree with the others. Doodling increases focus, rather than detracting. Personally, I try to capitalize on my kids doodling skills, and we've learned how to take sketchnotes and make mind maps. It is really helpful for my dyslexic girl, but all of them seem to enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 My youngest in particular is a mad doodler. I can look forward to doodles and pictures on almost every assignment, along with scathing commentary on every question she feels is insipid or poorly worded. The only rule is no obscuring the actual work. I'm not in the least worried that she will hand in her graduate thesis covered in anime characters and snarky comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Doodling helps your brain process information or somesuch. I read it somewhere and it stuck with me...but only a little bit, as you can see by the specificity of my recall on the topic. I have one child who fills pages and pages with doodles, usually scrap paper and rarely on his schoolwork. He draws weird little guys and writes words like "fat" and "poop". He once wrote "Mom is not fat." in cursive and print. Well, alright then. What I remember is that it keeps your brain from wandering off when what you are listening to or doing isn't taking all your brain power. So, the doodling keeps the idle part of the brain active and focused on the paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Not if they're spending more time making each letter/number into a little creature than actually doing the work. I remember those days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Dd is a doodle. Yes, I allow it with no restrictions. She is smart enough to not doodle on a college test and papers are typed on the computer, no opportunity for doodling. This isn't something I need to "teach" her not go do because professors won't appreciate it one day. I doodle whenever I take notes. If I'm in a meeting, at a workshop, convention, etc. I don't doodle any other time, but when speakers are talking and I have a pencil in my and and I'm waiting for them to says something worth writing down... it is like my hand has too much energy just waiting to burst forth lol. I don't doodle when I take notes on my iPad, but then I find myself more distracted. I think doodling lets my hand be busy so my mind can stay focused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curlymom Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I don't like doodling but I allow it. I wasn't a doodler, but my daughter is. I used to work in a nonprofit and one of our board members always seemed like he wasn't paying attention in the board meetings and was messing around with whatever sheet of paper was in front of him. He was a successful professional so clearly he was intelligent, and even though it seemed like he wasn't paying attention, he always responded with a focused answer or idea. It took me a while to realize that he was doodling during meetings, clearly it was a part of his thinking process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I allow doodling. I'm not sure I could prevent it with dd#2. As long as she's paying attention & getting her work done, I don't mind the "art" covering her desk, the margins of her books, and the white space in her math workbook that should actually be used for the math problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I'm a doodler, so I've never had an issue with it either homeschooling, or in a full classroom. (I do not, however, allow drooling lol) I once had a second grader (now a junior) who drew these elaborate sketches while we were discussing science, or reviewing history or reading aloud. No, they never had anything whatsoever to do with the discussion. There would be dozens of stick figures, doing fantastically exciting things like storming a castle and he could make you see the movement. Arms would be drawn back holding bows, legs would be racing down a hill. Second grade! (I loved it when we had time at the end of the day and he'd cover all three panels of the white board. :) ) What I found particularly interesting is that when he was allowed to draw while these auditory things were going on, he gained FAR more from the discussion than when he wasn't. I'm not full time currently, I merely sub. So when I saw him this year at the beginning of his junior year, I asked if he still drew. I know he doesn't make time for art class. He said yep, and grabbed a notebook. There, amongst his history notes were those same stick-figures, hanging things down the margins, taking a hill and planting a flag, and crawling under a guard's wall… lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Pro-Doodling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 This msn's homeschool momma did. http://www.joeldanielphillips.com/phone/home.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phathui5 Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Yes, and I do it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanitaL Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Look for some of Vi Hart's videos on youtube, you'll never think about doodles the same way again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 There's a doodle spot in the planner. Doodling in textbooks or other "official" work is not permitted. My rule is, "I expect it to be neat or I'm taking points off." Harsh? Probably, but here's the thing, I don't think a Professor wants to sort through the doodle to find the work either, kwim? On the other hand, there are times that my professor hubby has discovered that the doodles are the only thing that provides comic relief when he is grading exams, lol! One student seemingly spent the majority of the time doodling variations of 'I know nothing about chemistry.' On every page of the exam with very artistic pictures...but got an A on a very challenging exam:) But yes, it has to be well away from the actual work or is obnoxious to grade/decipher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 One of mine doodles to think. So do I and nearly every piece of paper within my reach has a doodle of some sort on it. As long as it doesn't interfere with my ability to read the work or it isn't a final draft of a paper, then I'm fine with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Okay, I had to come back and report that my mad doodler covered her legs with marker yesterday. You would not believe how many people complimented her cool 'textured stockings,' lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Yes, I do. As long as the actual school work is done neatly and correctly, they can doodle all they want. I just don't let them doodle on walls, floor, or furniture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimm Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I tried to allow it but then the privilege was abused so I had to insist on no doodles but she was allowed to keep a paper baby for doodling then she just spent her time drawing with her school pushed aside. I'm a believer in doodling but my daughter isn't a believer in moderation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emzhengjiu Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 My junior in high school is a doodler. It does help her think and process information. My younger daughter, who draws beautifully and frequently, never doodles. Strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiMi 4under3 Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I allow doodles if they are neat! :lol: No scribble-scrabble allowed. Pretty pictures and geometric patterns, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocassie Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 It depends. Doodling during regular works usually equals distracted, but doodling/drawing while listening(during read alouds and such) or waiting is fine by me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Doodling can aid focus http://lifehacker.com/5605338/fidgeting-and-doodling-might-help-maintain-focus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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