What happens when people bring their children?

This blog is one of a series of Facilitation Thoughts which look at various aspects of facilitation. 


( Image from http://freedesignfile.com/11995-playing-children-cartoon-vector-set-04/ )
"They really should not have children in the workshop. If so, they should be fed as well” evaluation comment
There are some kinds of sessions (including classes) in which the participants have to bring the small children in their care.  I have a memory of an lifting up a child and running a session for about 20 minutes until the child fell asleep. The small child was bored and his mother put him down to walk around. I was facilitating and he came to me and started pulling at my shirt and raising his hands.  I am not 'good' with children but still lifted him and then he fell asleep. His parents kept smiling at me.

I have had to decide not to use a video during a training session because small children were present.  In a human right session, the time when a parent started hitting a child "to sit still" generated a change in the agenda to discuss non-violent parenting.

Another group  of trainees praised their teacher for encouraging a woman to attend a training class with her small child.



Bring the child and come

It is not easy to ignore restless children. I think the facilitator should be conscious of the needs of the children and to see how participants are responding.

These are some of the strategies that I have seen used and I have used to keep the children and the participants happy.


  • Establish that there will be no hitting of children . Participants could share responsibility for keeping the children happy and giving the parent or caregiver some relief.
  • Ensure the children have things to do - toys, paper and pens , etc.  You might have to share your markers (or space on the flip chart as one child came up to write on the board )
  • Encourage the parents to step out with children when they need to and let them know you will update them on what is missed.
  • Identify a safe place where the children could run and play. 
  • If the children are old enough to participate, encourage them to do so.
  • Find out if any of the participants or organisers would be willing to create a separate space with some activities for the children. (Think Sunday School )
Virtual sessions
Some people might have their children with them. Acknowledge the presence of the child or the children, encourage them to say hello. 
 
What other strategies would you recommend for keeping children happy during a session for their parents?

Have a look at the other Facilitation blogs  .

Author : Vidyaratha Kissoon  contact : vidyak1 (at) gmail (dot) com

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