Homework - it's not something most of us look forward to. It's a constant struggle for most families to keep up with homework demands and deadlines.
I've been a mom for 28 years and a karate instructor for 15 years; homework is a popular topic among families that I interact with. Here's a list of 5 things you can do to help avoid the homework meltdown with your kids.
1. Sit with them. I know it's hard to pass up an opportunity to get one more load of laundry done or get a jump start on dinner, but sometimes having mom or dad at the table helps out a lot. You don't have to help them, just be there.
2. Get some upgraded supplies. Having a nice pen, pencil, eraser, paper, etc., can make the difference. It can boost your child's enthusiasm to have a "wicked nice pen" to write with. Yep, I'm from the East Coast (:
3. Snacks.
4. Stop the punishment - add rewards. Most kids react positively to a reward system and will shut down when the punishment comes. Instead of telling your child that you will be taking away dance classes, soccer or karate classes, let them know that if they get their homework done they can stay up late for 10 minutes and have one on one time with mom and dad. Believe it or not, this is a huge motivator for both boys and girls. Try it!
5. End it on a good note. From a parent's perspective it can be a daily frustration that sets an unpleasant tone for the evening. Student's can feel defeated and wil go to bed feeling unsuccessful when a homework meltdown occurs. That feeling can creep into morning time and stay with your child throughout the day. Whatever progress your child makes, let them know that you know it is difficult to keep up and you are proud of what they have accomplished. Your sincere praise will make a difference.
I hope that these 5 tips help to keep your family "homework happy!" Let's see if we can help our kiddos become more successful by using these 5 helpful homework tips.
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