Daily Excerpt: 10 Quick Homework Tips (Alder & Trombly) - Head off Stress by Being Proactive
Excerpt from 10 Quick Homework Tips (Alder & Trombly)
TIP # 1
HEAD OFF STRESS BY BEING
PROACTIVE
"The best time to
plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."
~ Chinese Proverb
Why is this Important?
One of the biggest
reasons, if not THE biggest reason, that kids and parents alike feel stress
about homework is that their family simply has no concrete plan for how, when,
and where homework will get done. Kids may not act like it, but they
need, and even like, having rules. They feel better, safer, if they know
exactly what is expected of them.
Think about your daily
life, at work or at home. Do you feel more confident, more calm, on days
that you are unsure what your boss will want from you, when you don’t know what
you are expected to do, or where you should do it and with what tools… or on
days when you know exactly what is expected of you, where you know just what to
do, where, when and how?
Most of us feel best
when there is a routine that we accept and understand. Though they would
probably tell you different, most kids would rather there be set rules at home,
too. Rules about homework, specifically, may help relieve the anxiety
that can come when kids try to postpone the work or get out of it
altogether. If they know they cannot get out of it, if they know the
rules and know they are expected to follow them, then there is nothing to try.
There is nothing to bargain about. There is no confusion, no
anxiety. It feels better for them. (And it feels better for
you, too!)
You can start being
proactive about homework by establishing some smaller habits, and then working
up to some larger ones.
What You Can Do:
1. Create
a special place for homework to go, such as a homework folder or
notebook. Let your child decorate it to make it special and, most
importantly, memorable. This folder should be brought to and from school
every single day. At school, when he gets homework, he places it in the
folder. When he gets home, he gets that folder out. All that he
needs to do is in there.
2. Pack up
the backpack the night before. Rushing around in the morning, yelling
about homework starts everyone’s day off on the wrong note. To avoid
that, make it a habit to have your child pack up his backpack the night before. Therefore, if something is missing, it can be
located with time to spare, and in the morning, it will be all ready to go.
3. Create
a Homework Agreement in which rules are set for when, where, and how homework
will be completed. This will take pressure off you and your child.
(See Tip # 2 for more details.)
4. Also
create a special place for homework to be completed. When your child has
a place that is comfortable, distraction-free, and equipped with everything
necessary to complete his work, he will be much more able to focus and complete
it. (See Tip #3 for more details.)
5. Have a
family plan for what to do if there is a problem with the homework. Don’t
have the right materials? Your night is just way too busy? You and
your child don’t understand what to do? Having thought about this beforehand
and having a plan will help you get through it smoothly. (See Tips # 4,
5, 6, 7, and 10 for more details.)
6. Think
about your role in your child’s homework. Some parents are involved
every step of the way. Others like to stay out of the way. Though every
child is different, it’s probably best to try to find a balance: be available
if he needs help, but don’t hover or complete the work for him. Whatever
method you prefer, just remember: always make sure that your kids are doing the
work themselves; never do it for them. (See Tips # 8 and 9 for more
details.)
* Modification for School-from-Home Learning:
If you are finding
yourself in charge of much more than just occasional homework, now
actually trying to organize all of your child's on-line learning at
home, these proactive tips are even more important. Having an agreed-upon
plan and place will make everyone feel more confident… and happy.
Tip # 1 Take-Away:
Spending
a little time at the beginning of the year, (or even right now- there’s no time
like the present!), figuring out a plan for homework can go a long way to
making the entire school year run more smoothly and make schoolwork at home a
lot more enjoyable for you and your child.
KOPS-FETHERLING INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS GOLD MEDAL IN EDUCATION
on special sale for %8.99 at MSI Press webstore
For more posts about Cindy, Patti, and their award-winning books, click HERE.
Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter
in exchange for reviewing a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book?
Contact editor@msipress.com.
Want an author-signed copy of this book?
Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25)
and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com.
Comments
Post a Comment