Today a guest article from Emily Graham at mightymoms.net If you like what she writes stop by her website and leave a note…she’ll love to hear from you.
Have you ever wondered why getting your child to do homework is such a struggle? As a parent, you may look at homework as just another parenting battle, like eating vegetables or making the bed. You expect conflict. But, is conflict really necessary?
Most parental advice on homework struggles is considered from a parent’s perspective. Create a schedule. Take a break. Reward positive behavior. The advice centers on getting homework done as painlessly as possible for the parent, and by extension the child.
Maybe that should not be the goal. The immediate objective may be to complete a specific assignment without a total meltdown. But as Psychology Today explains, the long-term goal should be developing children who are life-long learners, and teaching age-appropriate discipline and independence. With that objective in mind, Southwest Washington Education shares how you can improve your child’s homework routine by making a few changes and using some tech tools.
Help Like a Child
Children learn by doing, seeing, and engaging. One way to help your child is by providing enjoyable and appropriate tools for learning in this manner. There are apps, tutors, and videos that show how to solve a math problem or help with reading. Instead of telling a child how to do something, use the tools to show them.
With appropriate gadgetry in place, look to online resources for homework help. There is everything from online tutors to homework hints and Q and A platforms. When your child hits a studying stumbling block, chances are there’s a worthwhile solution on the web.
Think Like a Child
What is one of the most common childhood responses aside from No? The phrase: “That isn’t fair.” Children are all about equality. Everyone gets the same number of cookies. If the child must eat asparagus, everyone must eat asparagus. If that doesn’t happen, “it’s not fair.”
One way to use that mindset to your advantage is to have family-wide homework time. For younger children, working in a communal space is better than working in a “quiet” space alone. Although as your children move into their teenage years, they will want that quiet space.
Once you have identified the time and place for family homework, turn off the TV and remove all distractions. Parents need to participate in homework time because “it is fair.” There are no exceptions and no arguments. Use homework time to catch up on your reading or make out a grocery list. If you start the routine when your children have 10 minutes of homework a night, it will be established by the time they have an hour, meaning you won’t have to participate unless you want to.
Is your child lacking a quiet space to study? Turning an out-of-the way area in your home into a study room can allow them to complete their homework without distractions. You can use your attic, a spare bedroom, or even an area in your basement. If your current basement needs remodeling before it can be used as a study space, you’ll need to set a realistic budget (basement remodels typically cost over $20,000 at minimum) and research contractors. Due to issues with humidity, you’ll likely have to add subflooring if you’re planning on installing wood floors or carpet.
Consider the Child
Children hate homework in the same way they hate bedtime or anything else that takes them away from what they are doing. Children may also develop behaviors that complicate homework. With that in mind, it’s important to understand your child’s motivators, strengths, and weaknesses. Focus on the Family recommends thinking through your youngster’s personality type to gain more insights into what drives your youngster. For instance, for some kids, getting things “just so” is crucial, so they will thrive with details. By the time your child is in first grade, you should know if your youngster is a leader, perfectionist, or soft-hearted learner. Learn more about your child’s personality, and you can help your child learn how to learn.
As a parent, there is much you can do to help your child with homework struggles. Gather appropriate tools, ensure family-wide compliance, and learn how your child learns. These simple steps will set your youngster up for success.
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