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Many children get set a certain amount of homework once they start elementary school, with the amount steadily increasing year on year. For many children, though, when they come after a day of lessons, the last thing they want to do is sit down and do more schoolwork, actively seeking out excuses to avoid it.
‘’Homework is boring!‘’
The first step is to clarify whether your child does in fact have homework, and then maybe to discover what your child means when she says homework is boring. Do they mean that it’s not as fun as playing or that that they are not sure how to do it? Once you’ve listened, understood, and helped them look at the task, they are more likely to get down to it.
Your child is learning the skills and self-discipline they need to do homework. Don’t get angry with their repeated refusals. It’s tempting to help them do it, but that would send the wrong message—that if they make enough fuss, you’ll do it for them. Your role as a parent is to give them good habits and show them how to become responsible.
‘’I don’t want to do this homework’’
At this developmental stage, sitting and listening in school all day takes a lot of self-control. An after-school snack will help your child refuel. Some kids do best getting homework out of the way early; others need a play before starting homework.
To begin, don’t stress yourself out about the situation. At your child’s age, practicing a bit of math or reading at home can help them gain academic skills and confidence, but learning through play is still essential. If homework becomes dreaded, painful, or lengthy, talk to your child’s teacher about how to modify it. Fewer or easier problems, fewer days, and mental rather than written practice are all options.
Stay positive and close. Model a positive attitude toward schoolwork. If you see it as a dreaded chore, so will your child. Sitting nearby—working cheerfully on your own “homework”—may make it easier for your child to start or continue her work. You’re also available if they have questions.
In the long term you can use the next strategies:
Use “when…then…” Tell your child, “When you do your homework without complaining, then we have time to play a short game together.” This provides a visible goal and reward as extrinsic motivation until the intrinsic motivation eventually develops.
Set up a homework base. Create a place for your children to do their homework. Clear away any distractions, such as devices and toys, and equip it with all they need— pencils, erasers, and crayons.
Make it fun. Being playful can make homework more fun. Set up an audience of admiring stuffed animals to watch your child do work. Use a puppet who gets excited when she gets a problem right. Dance or move to make math facts active. Talk with a silly accent. Read books on topics they find fascinating.
Helping kids work through homework challenges can be tricky, but in the end, it helps them be more independent and confident student.
I hope this has been of some practical help to you. Good luck!
