Homework – dreadful no more…

For the past few months – ever since Ayush’s birth to be exact – I have not been able to attend to Aman’s studies. The result? Aman simply refuses to do his homework. Okay, he is still a pre-schooler. But if I let him have his way now, I’ll probably have a hard time getting him to do his homework when he joins kindergarten next year.

But then I need not worry too much. The situation is the same in most homes. Kids hate doing homework. We too hated it as kids, remember? Homework time is almost like a war – between impatient patents and their stubborn kids. Most often, this war ends in parents completing the homework while the kids play around. That is obviously not the right solution.

Now experts say parents must stop doing homework for their kids and instead learn ways of making them do it. You must first observe and identify why your kid dislikes or refuses to do his homework. Here are some of the usual reasons:

Reason 1: Difficulty in following lessons

Solution: While some kids quickly grasp new lessons, others may take time to catch up. These slow learners generally find homework too difficult. Be patient, understand your child’s pace of learning and encourage him complete homework on his own.

Reason 2: After 6-7 hours at school, kids will obviously be tired and sleepy.

Solution: Allow kids to unwind. Let them play around or take a small nap after school. Then give them a refreshing bath and something nutritious to eat. Now watch them tackle homework with a new zeal.

Reason 3: Poor attention span

Solution: Small kids cannot concentrate on one thing for more than 15-20 minutes. So don’t pressurize them to complete their homework all at once. If you notice them getting distracted, leave them alone for a while and resume homework later.

Reason 4: Their favorite TV shows running on full volume

Solution: This is perhaps the most common reason why kids get distracted from their homework. Set aside some time for homework everyday and keep the TV switched off until ‘homework time’ is over.

Parents can actively guide their kids during homework time by clearing doubts and patiently correcting them if they misspell or mispronounce something. Most importantly, make sure the kids get to do their homework in a quiet and peaceful environment.

By the way, Aman’s problem was quickly solved. He wanted absolutely no distractions while doing homework. Even a playful giggle from baby Ayush was enough for him to quit homework. So I now handover Ayush to my mother-in-law and then help Aman with his homework. It’s working unbelievably well!