A lot of teenagers hate doing their homework. They prefer to hang out with friends or play PlayStation, which can be very frustrating for a parent. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help your child be more motivated and even enthusiastic about doing their homework.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating the Right Conditions
Step 1. Create the right environment
Identify a part of the house to set aside for homework. That area needs to be distraction-free, so the bedroom isn't the best choice. Make sure all electronic devices are turned off and that all family members, including younger siblings, are giving your teen the time he or she needs.
By doing her homework on the kitchen table or a study desk, she will have enough space to do her job
Step 2. Set a fixed schedule for homework
Guys perform better when they follow a routine. Choose a time of day when your child needs to think about school. You can also have him participate in this decision. Estimate the time needed to attend to homework and be sure to consider his schedule, such as soccer practice.
For example, suppose you have basketball practice right after school and don't come home before 5pm. If you dine at 8pm, the best time to do your homework is 6pm
Step 3. Give them the tools they need to stay organized
If your child can't remember everything they need to do, make sure they have the tools they need to not forget homework. Buy him a diary and post-its, highlighters, or other similar stationery items. All of this will help him manage his time better and complete his duties by the deadline.
Step 4. Find a tutor
Parents often help their children with their homework. However, as time goes by, you may find that you don't have the proper knowledge to do this. If you feel uncomfortable or unable to assist your child on a particular topic, you can hire a tutor. An expert can give him private lessons, helping him understand a subject better and get better grades. He can also teach him various techniques that the teacher may not have described in class.
Ask your child's teacher for a mentor recommendation
Step 5. Make studying fun
Make a commitment to help your child study and do their homework. Try to come up with ways to make learning fun and enjoyable. Studying in different ways helps you to better remember the concepts to learn.
- For example, if he can't understand geometry but loves basketball, you can teach him on the court. Help him understand the different types of triangles by using your bodies and the basket to represent the various angles of the triangles. What if the triangle is one step further from the basket?
- Watch an interesting historical film or documentary on a subject he is studying in history.
Part 2 of 3: Being Present at School
Step 1. Make your presence felt at school
Get to know your child's principal and professors. Make it clear to them that they can always reach out to you if they have any questions or concerns about your child's education. Volunteer at the school or show up at events organized by the school. Your child may feel more motivated to do their homework if they know that they are actively involved in the school community.
- Attend meetings between parents and teachers.
- If your job or schedule doesn't allow you to actively participate, be sure to show up at least once a year and keep up to date with the school's newsletter.
Step 2. Collaborate with your child
Instead of fighting and creating a tense environment around education and academic performance, work with him to develop an action plan. Offer him your advice and let him create a program that suits his needs. Instead of scolding him when he doesn't get good results, give him constructive criticism and allow him to solve his problems on his own. This will make him feel grown up and respected.
- For example, if your child has just received their mid-term report and has a low in math, they have two months to catch up on that grade before the report cards. Talk to him asking him what he needs to do to get a better result. If he says he needs to study more, suggest that he spend at least 30 minutes a day reviewing the topics covered in class.
- Ask him if there are still any homework or tests he hasn't been able to do yet.
Step 3. Write him reminders
Teenagers often have to be challenged or faced with their responsibilities, especially about the things they don't want to do. They don't have to be looked after like elementary school children, but they still need a few words from time to time to get them back on track. Try to remember that you are the adult and your child is just a little boy.
Use technology to write reminders. Set up notes on your phone's calendar and sync them to hers. You can also use many family management apps
Part 3 of 3: Achieving the Goals
Step 1. Help your child set goals
To be successful in school and at work, it is important to know how to set short and long-term goals. Ask him to set daily, weekly, and quarterly goals to guide him through homework.
- For example, a short-term academic goal is to improve your history grade from 6 to 8. A long-term goal is to get all 8 by the end of the year.
- Ask them to write and reevaluate their goals as time goes by.
Step 2. Offer him incentives
Teenagers are often motivated by rewards. Find ideas on possible daily, monthly, or quarterly rewards to help your child do their homework on a regular basis.
- Give him money based on the report card. Reward him for every 8.
- Offer him a weekly allowance as a reward for doing all his homework. Think of it as real work - if it does its job, it will get paid.
- Consider letting him stay up late as a reward for improving his report card grades.
Step 3. Help your child adopt a more mature point of view
It is difficult for teenagers to understand why they have to strive to learn all secondary school subjects. Many of them don't understand how algebra can help them once they finish high school or college. Your job is to highlight the connections between academic engagement and success in the world of work.
Be prepared to answer questions like, "Why do I have to learn algebra? I don't want to be a math teacher and nobody uses algebra every day." Show him examples of activities where you use math every day, such as paying bills or calculating the household budget
Step 4. Encourage him
It is natural for a parent to praise their child's commitment and improvement. However, encouragement is more effective than praise in maintaining motivation. Encourage him about the things he has done well and the things he still needs to improve on.
Instead of saying, "Great job on the science project!", You can say, "Look at that science project! You understand that you took a lot of time to make it so good. Don't you feel proud that you got top marks?"
Advice
- Give him the space he needs to achieve success.
- Support him throughout his school career.
