One of the toughest tasks for all parents is, to make their children complete the homework. It is tiresome as well as challenging. I have heard few parents say that when kids perform well in examination or school work the excitement level is as equal as their kids. Though it is an overwhelming process they cannot skip the pressure and stress it brings while doing the homework.
After spending hours together at school surrounded by books, lectures; obviously this homework process makes children yawn. Few of them use lying or tantrums as a weapon to escape from the situation. However, it is one of the must-do tasks that disciplines them.
Homework is not only about doing the task but also understanding the concept in depth, if in case they fail to concentrate at school. So, it is really challenging for children and parents to do the same with the struggle. Many today being working parents, to sit and complete the task, most of them choose an alternative of sending them to tutorials. There are few simple ways that really help parents to make this process easy and fun.
Use creative method for making them understand concepts
Teaching maths, calculations are quite confusing for children. So just sitting and verbalising may not helpful to all. Hence use available materials to teach simple calculations, once they complete the writing process. Let them use the materials which are available around them. For instance, you can use grains or matchstick to learn the concept of addition (two grains plus three grains make five grains) or subtraction. Thus, you can use different materials to make them understand the concept.
Create an healthy environment
A dark closed room would not be the right option to sit for a longer time. That doesn’t mean that an open area would be the right option which has maximum distraction level. But choosing an environment with proper ventilation and light and also away from the distractions (phone, TV) is good. This makes the homework process quick.
Supply good food
A hungry stomach may not allow the brain to concentrate, so feed them healthy food with minimum quantity. Start the homework process after finishing snacks.
Use Rewards and incentives
Rewards play an important role in shaping the behaviour. Homework is not an exceptional one. Use tokens and stars for every successful completion of homework. You can replace with something big (after attaining 10 stars the child would get extra half an hour to watch TV) once they attain certain number of stars or tokens. You can keep charts or books to stick the stars. Maintain a homework chart and keep a track on it.
Understand the learning style of your children to use visuals
Children who like to see and learn are visual learners. Who understand better by hearing are auditory learners, who learn by experimenting or touching are kinesthetic learners. Hence understand your children’s learning style and use appropriate charts, drawing, equation chart (visual learners), action songs, stories (auditory learners), matchsticks, grains, colour pencils, and beads (kinsesthetic learners). Teach them concept in a way how they understand.
Let the child be a teacher
Children remember things by rehearsing more and more. One of the best ways to make them understand the concept is by repeating what they have learnt or by teaching others. The teaching buddy can be one of the parents or toys or their mates.
On a concluding note, remember that the homework is done by the child, and parents can involve in the process by assisting them in a right path. If both sit together and prepare a proper schedule with appropriate learning aids it is one of the most enjoying process.
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