Q. Homework time is such a battle in our
home. How can I get my child to focus while doing homework?
A. While school teaches children many things,
learning how to focus does not seem to be one of them in many academic
settings. Children are told to sit still
and to pay attention but are usually not told how to accomplish these tasks. Oftentimes this teaching moment must begin at
home.
Set the stage by building structure
and routine into your home. Help your child build healthy habits by having homework
begin at a regular time. Then, follow suit with a dinner time, and then bed time
rituals to help transition to bed time. This will require adequate time
management but also the ability to be flexible when necessary. Please also realize that as your child grows
and matures, you will need to restructure your home accordingly. Rules and standards that were set for a 6 year
old are understandably not appropriate for a 10 year old.
Organization and time management
are key components in helping your child become academically successful. Help
your child get organized by keeping school supplies in one place, and by making
a folder for each subject. Make the first file as an archetype and then, with
your guidance, empower your child by letting him/her make the remaining
folders. Make this a fun activity by
buying colorful folders and labels.
At the start, as parents, it is
important to model the behavior you want encouraged in your child.
I bold this because it is very important. Therefore, if you want your child to be organized, prepared, and able to focus on one activity at a time, you must model this behavior and the home environment must reflect these attributes. Realistically speaking, however, the busyness of our lives does not always
permit the luxury of doing one activity at a time; we have become a society of
multitaskers! And rightly so! We have a lot to do in a finite amount of time. Conversely,
successful multitasking requires concentration while being able to effectively
complete each task--- rather than a lot of tasks going on but very few being
completed. However, children’s minds are developing, and having too many tasks
going on at once can be quite distracting---even for many adults.
Firstly, reduce distractions in the
area in which your child does his/her homework. This means removing the cell
phone, electronic games, toys, etc. from his/her view. Turn off the television.
Clear off the desk --or kitchen table if that is where your child does his/her
homework. Make sure the only books that are present are the ones that are
relevant to the subject being studied. For example, if math is the current assignment,
make sure there are no English, Social Studies, Science, etc. books also on the
table. Make sure everything is at your child’s ready reference: sharpened
pencils, ink pens, pencil sharpener, extra sheets of paper, ruler, erasers, dictionary, thesaurus,
etc., so that your child is not further distracted by having to get up to retrieve
the necessary supplies to complete the assignment.
Next, sit with your child during
homework time. I realize there are lots of working moms and dads out there who
have to start dinner while their child is doing homework in order to have the
meal on the table at a decent hour; however, it’s important that you model the
ability to focus on one thing at a time. You won’t always have to do this but
initially it is very important.
While sitting with your child, read
each question aloud. After some time, your child can read the questions aloud
him/herself. If your child loses focus during the assignment, simply point back
to or gently tap the page. Also, see if
calming music can help your child block out distractions while studying,
especially if there is a lot of activity going on outside (e.g. lawnmowers,
sounds of children playing, etc.). Go to http://www.songza.com and select "Studying" and you'll see a selection of music without lyrics that you can choose from. You will have to observe your child and
learn what works best for him/her.
Another important factor is to set
a timer for your child’s work sessions. Set a timer for a short time—say two to
five minutes. Gradually increase the time until he/she can concentrate for 20
minutes. Take one-minute breaks between timings. You may find over time that
your child needs a longer break between assignments. These breaks, however, are
probably best spent not doing activities that are mentally stimulating.
Of course you will have to observe
your child and see what works best for him/her. Some children do better
tackling homework assignments the minute they walk in the door after school.
Some children need a break with a snack in order to recharge their batteries
and take on the challenges of homework. Note what works best for your child.
If
you like, you can make a chart of your child’s daily activities, which includes
homework. When he/she gets started on an activity without having to be told to
do so or finishes it before the timer goes off, he/she gains a sticker. At the
end of the week, have him/her turn in their stickers for a small prize (e.g. a trip
to the zoo or park, a movie, a new game, etc.). Find what motivates your child.
We are all motivated by something!
Lastly, if structure and routine were not the standard in your home previously, expect resistance. Don’t give up! Be consistent and follow through. Praise the effort rather than just the outcome.
Hopefully these suggestions will be
the first steps in teaching your child to focus, and by making homework time
less stressful for all involved.
