Parent's Guide To Solving Homework Problems - Part 8

Determining the Problem - PROCRASTINATORS

 

The procrastinator likes to wait until the last minute to get homework done. For most children, this is usually what they are accustomed to doing. If this is the case with your child, then your task is to break a habit that is well engrained (good luck!).

If your child procrastinates with long-term assignments, then it is your job to ensure that these types of assignments are started the day they are assigned, and you and your child have agreed upon how many minutes must be spent on this assignment each night.

A log should be kept to ensure the agreed upon time is adhered to and the parent should check each block of work to ensure enough has been completed in the allotted time.

If your child procrastinates with starting homework each night, a timer is a good tool to help you and your child solve the procrastination problem.

At the start of each homework session ensure your child is seated in the place where they do homework and they are prepared to start on time.

Set the timer for 10 or 15 minutes and leave them to work. When the timer rings they have to bring the work they have completed in that time to you. If you are not satisfied with the amount completed let them know what needs to be done for the next block of time.

Another approach is to take the amount of work to be completed - say 30 Math examples – and establish a small chunk of work – say 10 examples – to be completed in a certain amount of time. If the child does not complete the amount of work allocated for that 10 or 15 minute period then you need to tell them to readjust their rate so it is completed on time.

Remember ‘Practice makes Perfect”. Your child needs time management guidance – something that is not usually taught in school. Set the homework block for each day and homework MUST be completed in that time.

part 9 to follow...

Parent's Guide To Solving Homework Problems - Part 7

Determining the Problem - FOCUS/LACK OF ATTENTION

If the problem is FOCUS (your child cannot spend more than a few minutes before she loses concentration) then you will need to break the work up into 10 or 15 minutes chunks.

Place a timer on your child’s desk and ask her to come and show you what she has accomplished when it rings.

Look carefully at the amount of work completed, its neatness and quality. Comment on each aspect. Let the child know what is good and what needs to be improved.

Continue this practise until all three aspects of the work reach a level that you feel is acceptable (this could take days or weeks!). Once you have reached this goal, set the timer for a longer period of time and go through the process a second time.

Do NOT sit with your child. Do not monitor them while they are supposed to be working. Remember your goal is to develop independent work skills in your child.

NOTE: An inability to focus may be symptomatic of a bigger problem. If your child exhibits this inability with other subjects or other aspects of daily life then you need to seek the help of a specialist. The school should be the first place to begin your search.

Parent's Guide To Solving Homework Problems - Part 6

Identifying The Problem - RESISTORS

Children (parents?) who resist doing homework are usually indicating that there is something else going on…your job is to find out what it is.

Talk with your child to see if you can determine what is going on. Has something changed at home or at school? Are they upset about anything?

Use your skills at 20 Questions to try and elicit what is going on in their mind that prevents them from being able to start & complete homework.

Try to determine if the problem is due to the fact that they are struggling with the material – do they find it hard?

Is it an attention problem – do they find it hard to concentrate for more than a few minutes?

Do they feel lost? Do they need extra help?

If you are lucky enough or not to discover what the problem may be, nevertheless, your next step is to contact the teacher. 

Meet with her and try to come to a consensus as to what is causing your child’s resistance to homework and what steps can be taken to resolve the problem. Working hand-in-hand with your child’s teacher is usually the best way to get positive results.

Again, remember: any plan devised to help your child must be followed through by you. No plan, no matter how good, will fail without consistent parent support.

Part 7 to follow...

Parent's Guide To Solving Homework Problems - Part 5

Identifying Homework Problems - SLOPPY/SPEEDY WORKERS

Sloppy, untidy work is not accepted by teachers and (most) parents. It is usually a clear indication that the creator has rushed and has little if any pride in his work.

If teachers and parents insist on an ‘acceptable level’  of neatness and quality, and insist it be redone until it is acceptable, it will soon become obvious to the speedy producer, that doing it right once is much quicker than having to redo the assignment two or three times.

Parents can encourage neatness and quality by:

1.       Monitoring the child’s homework at regular intervals (yes, dad, you have to do something!).

2.       Create check points e.g.: 30 Math examples – “Come to see me after completing ten.” (this is where you check the neatness and quality).

3.       Establish a homework time block with a set amount of time. If child completes all homework before the time is up, they must read until the time is up (this slows down the child rushing to move on to a more enjoyable activity).

4.       Of course TV, video games, internet, cell phones, devices, etc., etc.  are totally out of the picture until homework time is done.

At this point there may be some of you thinking that these homework ideas require a lot of work. Well…not to spoil your world…but yes this homework problem will require some work on your part…consider it your homework…live with it.

Parent's Guide To Solving Homework Problems - Part 4

Determining The Problem - FORGETFUL CHILDREN

For some kids, getting homework to and from school is a difficult task.

First thing you need to do is ensure your child has a homework book and that the teacher checks it each afternoon before dismissal after your child has written down her homework assignments.

Tell your child to ensure that after the teacher check, she has placed, in her backpack, all the texts and exercise books she needs to complete the homework.

At home, when all the homework is done, tell your child she cannot do anything until she has placed the homework book and all texts and exercise books back in her back pack and placed it by the door.

Stay on top of this consistently until your child does it without having to be reminded. Practice does make perfect, so take the time to help your child develop this habit. 

Part 5 to follow...

A Parent's Guide To Solving Homework Problems - Part 3

DETERMINING THE PROBLEM

One of the first things you need to establish is can your child handle the material.

Students can be experiencing difficulties with the level of the material and not tell you or the teacher. They feel vulnerable and afraid to admit to something they may see as a fault or weakness

You will need to do a little detective work: talk with your child and ask her what the problem is; phone the teacher and get her perspective; is it one subject or more?

If it is more than one subject that your child is experiencing difficulties with, then have the school assess your child…more on this later.

If you discover that your child is experiencing difficulties with a particular subject at school then you need to arrange a meeting with the teacher. 

Ask the teacher to summarize what, in her opinion, is the problem your child is having and how to fix it. Together you should come up with a plan to remedy the situation.

A tutor may also be in the cards to give your child the extra help she needs to get a solid grip of the material.

Part 4 to follow...

Parent's Guide To Solving Homework Problems - Part 2

IS THERE A HOMEWORK PROBLEM?

The first thing you need to determine is whether there is a problem with homework. 

If you and your child are tearing your hair out, yelling and screaming at each other over homework issues then it is an easy diagnosis.

There is a difference between occasional problems and regular problems. We all have an off day now and then.  Gentle reminders and prompts to do homework are also normal for most families. 

However, if the homework issue is pervasive, with regular excuses for homework not done and constant battles to get your child to complete homework then there obviously is a problem.

While this analysis might seem somewhat simplistic, there sometimes is a thin line between determining whether you and your child have a homework problem or not. In some instances it may be a demanding parent expecting perfection.

If there is even the slightest doubt in your mind, call your child’s teacher and get another perspective. If the teacher is noticing similar behaviours in class then that will help you to make a sound analysis.

If you have gotten this far and determined that there really is no problem, then...Congratulations!

If however, you know you and your child have a homework issue, then the next step is determining what is causing the homework problem?

Part 3 to follow...