All parents in the world would like to know the magic formula to encourage their children to do their homework. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as waving a wand, but there are some ways to get them to develop and follow a regular pace. In some cases, children also need to change their approach to homework. Don't worry, it's not difficult! You just have to take the time to find a solution. Create a space suitable for study and homework planning, set clear expectations, rewards and consequences, and make sure they do their duty with a positive approach.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Creating an Environment Suitable for Study and Homework Planning
Step 1. Choose a quiet place
Find a quiet space where your children can do their homework away from all sorts of distractions, such as television and music. Try to reduce the traffic of people in this area and separate small children from older ones who have to study.
Step 2. Assign a seat to each of them
To cut down on fights and distractions, give everyone a zone so they can do their job quietly. You can prepare a place in the kitchen and one in the living room, or have them study each in their own bedroom.
Step 3. Encourage them to do their homework by limiting the use of technological devices
To prevent your children from texting or posting on social networks when they should apply to books, do not allow them to have access to use cell phones and computers. Give the rule a break if they have to use the computer for a research or print an assignment.
Step 4. Make sure they have everything they need
Provide pencils, pens, rulers, calculators, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. Provide them with a container to store their stationery supplies so that they can easily carry it with them and set it aside when needed.
For example, if they do their homework in the kitchen, open the case so that they can pick up their supplies when they have to do their homework. Fill it up again and put it back when they're done
Step 5. Create a homework schedule
A study routine will help your children know what to expect. You can grant a break between the end of school lessons and the time when homework has to start. For example, give them an hour of leisure time after school before they reopen their books.
- Make sure they have a say in the creation of the program. They are more likely to respect it if they feel like they are being listened to and considered.
- Establish moments of freedom, such as a Friday night or a weekend day, and allow them to manage them as they see fit.
Step 6. Give them a break if they need it
Instead of forcing them to finish their homework when they are tired, let them stop studying for about ten minutes. In this way, they will approach their duty with a more relaxed spirit and will see obstacles from another perspective.
Part 2 of 4: Establishing Expectations, Rewards and Consequences
Step 1. Clarify what the expectations are
Your children need to know what is expected of them when they study. Have them sit down and explain it to them by saying, for example, that they have to finish their homework on time or that they have to keep the pass average. On the other hand, you need to set boundaries, be consistent, and stick to your goals.
Step 2. Congratulate them on feeling motivated
If you praise them when they do their duty well, they will feel inherently motivated. Intrinsic motivation prompts people to undertake an activity not in exchange for an external reward, but out of personal pride.
- Once in a while, a reward given when they perform an important project well can be a great boost, but it is best to avoid rewarding them systematically with material objects.
- When they finish their homework, show your satisfaction with their organizational spirit, diligent and proactive. You need to state the exact reason you feel proud of them so that they know which path to continue on.
Step 3. Avoid bribing them
In this way, you risk demotivating them because, by combining homework with an increase in pocket money or some new toy, they grow with a view to receiving material gains rather than increasing the sense of inner gratification or expanding their knowledge.
Step 4. Ignore inappropriate behaviors rather than emphasize them
By giving children special attention - even if aimed at correcting - when they don't do what they should (or do something they shouldn't), you only strengthen their conduct. When they don't finish their homework or object, stay calm. Don't start screaming and don't let emotions take over.
Remember clearly and simply what you agreed on schoolwork together. Express your disappointment, but also hope that the situation will return to normal the next day
Step 5. Make them take responsibility for managing the school allowance
It may seem difficult, especially if parents feel personally involved in their children's study, but it is absolutely vital that children understand early on that it is their duty, not the parents'. Let your kids manage the check and homework instead of doing it for them.
For example, if they left their notebooks or books at school, don't waste time tracking down the caretakers to enter the building and retrieve what they have forgotten. If they can find a way to get it back, so be it, otherwise they will suffer the consequences
Step 6. Make them face the consequences of their behavior
When they're not doing their homework, avoid calling or emailing teachers to justify them or ask for more time. Even if it seems difficult to you, it is best that they learn to take responsibility and deal with the consequences of their actions.
Of course, if your child has learning problems or any disabilities, you should take appropriate action. Don't be afraid to seek the support of specialized professionals as they may provide you with more appropriate strategies
Part 3 of 4: Conveying a Positive Approach to Tasks
Step 1. Accept that most children don't like homework
When they are surrounded by so many other interesting things, especially in the age of electronic devices, it is difficult to make homework tempting. As the parent or guardian responsible for their school performance, think about how they might complete them rather than trying to convince them that they are fun.
In this situation, you should still keep a positive attitude. Don't give in when your kids get bored of studying and don't want to do their homework. Try answering: "I'm sorry you think this way, but when you finish them, you can invite your friends over."
Step 2. Find a new name
Use terms that suggest growth and learning, not homework because all children get irritated by "homework". A little trick to get around this is to use other words like "home learning", "brain nourishment" or even just "study", regardless of the school they attend.
Step 3. Explain the benefits of the study
Talk to your kids about the importance of homework and how a good education will be a boon in their life. Explain that as adults they will earn more money if they have a higher level of education. Ask what they would like to do when they grow up and explain what studies are needed to pursue the career they want.
- For example, if your child wants to become a marine biologist, tell him he will need to get high grades in school to get into a university where he can earn a degree in biology, zoology, or ecology.
- If he wants to be an actor, tell him he won't be able to memorize lines if he doesn't get used to reading regularly. Encourage him to practice by memorizing a few passages from textbooks.
Step 4. Turn your homework into a game
Many children find them boring or impractical. Do your best to spice up your study time, for example by turning the terms of a math problem into sweets or money. Create pictures to help them learn the periodic table or make stickers to assimilate vocabulary words (such as those of soccer players). You can also organize a spelling contest or math tournament to help them memorize the times tables.
Part 4 of 4: Changing Your Engagement
Step 1. Try to facilitate them instead of being authoritarian
You can pray to them, scold them, threaten them, bribe them, but none of these negative and mutually exasperating behaviors will push your children to do what you want. Instead, try to make it as easy as possible to get things done so that everything runs smoothly.
Step 2. Have them keep track of their progress
Don't be tricked by asking thousands of check questions as soon as they get out of school. Instead, encourage them to tell you what they need to study in the afternoon. Make it clear that you would also like to know the more interesting aspects of what they learn from time to time.
Step 3. Help them distinguish between the hardest and the easiest tasks
As you keep abreast of what they are learning, make sure they know which tasks they are struggling with the most. Have them do the more complicated ones first so they can handle obstacles when they have more energy, and recommend that they leave the simpler ones for the end.
Step 4. Find out if there are any subjects they have difficulty with
Investigate the subjects they are studying and find out which subjects they excel at and which ones they have the most trouble at understanding or doing homework. If it is a difficult subject, ask if they need help (from you, a sibling, or a private teacher).
Step 5. Get involved, but not excessively
If your kids have to do their homework on their own, stay away from it. If you are too involved, there is a risk that they will not learn anything. Therefore, give them the opportunity to work independently so that they develop a useful skill for the rest of their life. It remains available in case they need a helping hand, but don't get breathless on the neck while they are applied on the books.
Step 6. Do your "duty" at the same time your children do theirs
To motivate them to study, use a trick: do something to show how responsible and diligent you are. You need to lead by example by showing that what they are learning is directly related to what they will do as adults. If they are reading, grab a book or newspaper and read next to them. If they are studying math, sit down with a calculator and check your expenses.
Advice
- Encourage them to do their homework cleanly and accurately. Find out if the notebooks are messy before they're done and encourage them to be more precise.
- If the teacher asks you to intervene in carrying out your homework, don't hesitate. Collaborate with him. Show your children that school and family form one team.
- Stay up to date on your children's school life. Talk to their teachers regularly to make sure you know the purpose of the assignments and what the rules are to be followed in the classroom.
