"Ugh, homework!" This is what parents hear all the time from their kids. Homework is not something children look forward to when they get home. After school, kids love to relax, take it easy and do fun stuff at home.
As parents, it has always been challenging to encourage kids to do their homework. The last thing any mom or dad wants is to drive kids away by bombarding them to prioritize after school work.
Below are some of the helpful ways to motivate your children to not dread homework. You'll see the changes in ways your kids look at homework after you make use of these tips.
Check Your Kids' Backpacks
Motivate your kids to do their homework by being specific on what needs to be done. As Babble.com suggested, you can try emptying out your kids' backpacks every day after school to check for homework for the day. Then, explain to your kids the importance of each after school work that needs to be done at home.
Help Your Kids do Homework at The Same Spot Always
Changing venues to do after school work distracts some kids. Choose a regular place where they do their homework - such as the dinner table or their study table in their rooms. Choosing a specific place to do their homework helps them focus and stay on the task whenever they are at that location.
Set a Scheduled Time to do Homework
Changing the schedule or time for homework gives your kids more reasons to least prioritize after school sessions. For this reason, it is imperative to stick by 6 p.m. to do homework every day once you've set a schedule. This is the same as picking a fixed place to do their homework. Once they get used to doing their homework at a scheduled time and place, it will be easy for them to stick with it.
Implement a Reward System that Stands Out
Rewards have their ways of motivating kids to do homework. However, don't settle for the common or ordinary rewards because doing so may lead to your kids not working hard if they think that the reward is not worth it. Instead, reward your kids with activities they will appreciate more during weekends such as movie dates and candy treats after they have been consistent in after school work. Make them work hard for the reward so they will appreciate the value of work they put into it.
Supervise and Help Kids do Homework Only if It's Necessary
Supervise your kids in doing their homework. However, only help them answer their work sheets if they're really not able to do it by themselves, as suggested in Newsforparents.org. Children become motivated to do their best in after school sessions if they know you give them credit for accomplishing tasks on their own. It will also promote a sense of independence.
Take a Break if Necessary
As Empoweringparents.com suggested, it's always important for your kids to take breaks doing homework. Always remember that your child might be exhausted coming from school and so it will help them if they take short breaks for quick relaxation or even snacks. Try working things out after a few hours or even the next day when both you and your kids are in better mood to study.
Homework does not need to be draining in your kids' eyes all the time. Thinking out of the box is the answer to getting your children to excel in academic work, even after school.
