One of the most difficult parts of being a parent is when their homework starts becoming more challenging. Whereas once upon a time all you had to do was worry about your children learning the colors of the rainbow, now they’re learning things like the Pythagorean Theorem.
Frustrated parents may find themselves struggling to keep their students motivated to do the work. In fact, many parents may find homework time is downright dreadful and ready to hire a tutor. Fear not— if you’re a parent looking for a better way to do homework, that motivates your child and might even make it fun, then read on.
Make it Fun
The first step is making it as enjoyable as possible. Rather than referring to it as “work,” find another word, such as “learning time.” When you refer to it as “work”, there may be a negative association with this word. So, the first place to start is finding a new way to call it.
When you sit down to do their homework with them, find ways to make it more interesting. Whether you invest in some fun pencils, or you have some prize at the end of homework that will keep things interesting, find creative ways to make it more enjoyable!
Be Encouraging
One of the most common reasons why children don’t like doing homework is because they don’t understand the subject material. If they start getting frustrated and saying things like “I can’t do it,” don’t lose your patience. Instead, be encouraging, and reassure them that they can do it. The more motivating that you can be, the more motivated they’ll be to continue pushing through.
Reward Them
At the end of homework time, a reward is essential. Remember, rewards don’t always have to be candy or a toy. Rewards can also be an experience or a privilege. Whatever you decide the reward to be, don’t forget this is an essential part of finishing homework. The dangling carrot makes work so much more motivating. This stands true for adults as well. After all, why would we go to work every day if we didn’t have the promise of a paycheck at the end?
Practice The Pomodoro Method
If your child has trouble focusing, then you may need to try out a different work method. Some people work best using the Pomodoro work method. Instead of working for long periods of time, the idea is to work for short spurts with breaks in between. Because these breaks are short and frequent, it can actually increase productivity and focus.
Remember, not every child’s learning style is the same. By trying out these methods, and being patient, you should find a way to motivate your child, and set them up for success with their studies.
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