Homework can be often become a battle of wills. While some children are happy to do it, others try to resist, which can be stressful for everyone involved. We often get questions about how to approach the dreaded topic if it’s become a sore subject at home. It’s not always straightforward, but you can take steps to make it a bit easier.
Find the root cause
A reluctance to do homework can often indicate a wider issue. The first step is to find out why. It could be that they’re struggling with a particular subject or concept, or perhaps they don’t find it easy to work with distractions.
Think of the timing, too – are they trying to do homework when they’re hungry or straight after school? Would it be better to give them a little break in between? Would they respond better to a routine with set days for schoolwork? Try to find out why and adapt their homework schedule accordingly.
Build confidence
Sometimes, working on their own can feel daunting. Even if they can do the work, they may hesitate to begin with. Try to go through their homework with them at first, slowly becoming more independent. Avoid focusing too much on mistakes and point out the positives wherever possible.
Break it up
If the reason they don’t want to do their homework because they want to play, try splitting it into smaller sessions. Give them time to play or do something they enjoy in between. It can be easier to tackle if it’s in manageable sections.
Stay positive
Many parents often say things in a child’s hearing like “Oh, I was useless at maths at school” or “I don’t understand it, so I’m not sure how they do!”. These may seem like harmless comments, but they can make the work seem much more daunting. Avoid mentioning how hard you think it looks, even if you do. There are lots of resources on the internet that explain current teaching methods if you’re not, which you can use to help.
Explore tutoring options
Tutoring can sometimes be a useful alternative, as having someone else set the expectations and explain anything they don’t understand can help. A tutor could also help them understand any concepts they’re struggling with and find ways to explain them. It can be a confidence boost too, as they can see from someone else what they’re getting right.
Discuss it with their teacher
If the homework is still taking too long or causing too much unnecessary stress, speak to the school, explain the challenges, and see if there is a way to find balance.
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