Many mothers proudly praise their 6 or 7-year-old children, who begin to do their homework without any hesitation, straight after school and at the express pace, of course, without any help. Such stories may as well be called fairytales. Scientists have known for years that young children at this age very, very rarely do it themselves. They need help, but it is important to do it with a plan.
Give them a break, do not force them
You should not rush your child to do their homework straight after school. They need time to rest after the hustle and bustle of the day and sitting in the classroom. If the child wants to tell you what happened to them at school, you have to let them talk. For the excitement after school to drop, it is advisable to take a walk or do some outdoor activities. You both will benefit from that.
Set a time for doing homework
Determine with your child the best time for them to do their homework. Adapt to their wishes. Determine when they have time to have fun and to meet with friends. Then follow this schedule with an iron consequence. Remember - free time and enjoyment are to be rewards for doing their homework. Do not under any circumstances change the order of these steps.
Silence and order
The child must have peace and quiet when they come to do the homework. Make sure nothing distracts them. Also tidy up their desk so the brain can focus better. On the desk there may be notebooks, books and pens, but nothing that could distract them from the most important task at the time. If your child has siblings, it is important to isolate them from the child whilst they work.
Be with the child
By being with them we mean give them your attention. During the time you sit with them and are helping them with understanding certain terms for example, do not send text messages, focus on reading something else or start cleaning up. The child is to be supported by your presence and your interest. This does not mean, however, that you have to do the work for them. You have to show your child that their occupation is important, but you know they can handle it by themselves. Of course, you can offer support and assistance, but under no circumstances should you do the work for them.
Check the work, because it is necessary
Sometimes your child will claim they have no homework. In such situations, you should, unfortunately, be suspicious and check the notebooks or talk to the teacher to find out whether the child is not avoiding their obligations.
Author: Bien Magazine
Photos: DepositPhotos
