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PrintWoman to Woman: Getting Your Kids To Do Homework
It's the first week of class since a long holiday break - and it makes it that much harder for your kids to want to do their homework. Tonight, we have some helpful homework hints, in our Woman To Woman report.
Just ask Jazlyn and Lazaro Acosta.
"It's actually tough to a certain point because all I want to do is go home and talk on the phone, get on the computer," says s
tudent Jazlyn Acosta."
Sometimes I come home, take a shower, play, and then do homework," says student Lazaro AcostaAnd that can be frustrating for parents.
Beatriz asks, "Jacky, how hard is it to get them to do their homework?"
"It is very hard when they come home from school, and you had them all day doing math and social studies all day. They really don't want to come home and sit down to do homework," responds p
arent Jacky Acosta.But psychologist, Dr. Ruth Peters, says getting kids to do homework doesn't have to be hard work.
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I think it's very difficult for children to enjoy homework, but there are two things that can help," says Dr. Peters, "and one is that when a child understands the work, it is much more enjoyable."Dr. Peters says that means teaching your kids study and organization skills.
Start by having them write their homework and long-term projects in a daily planner or journal.
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The younger they are, the more you have to be there and involved and helping the child, the kindergarten, 1st, 2nd grader," says Dr. Peters.As your child gets older, Dr. Peters suggests being available but letting your child do their own research.
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Do it online, getting on the internet, doing some research, there's so many graphics and visuals, that helps make it a lot more fun also," says Dr. Peters.When they're finished, check your child's homework, don't take their word for it.
And, finally, make sure your child packs the homework and takes it to school.
As a parent and teacher, Jacky knows homework can be a hassle.
She's also found a creating a routine can be very beneficial.
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We benefit from it," says Jazlyn. "It helps us. We sit at the table. We do our homework. You have to just sit and relax, let everything flow.""
If I do it right away then I can play as long as I want," says Lazaro.Get it done right away, now that's good advice.
Experts say you should also teach your kids how to deal with frustration... That even though a math problem or a spelling word is hard, keep plugging away every night
.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: bcanals@wsvn.com
Dr. Ruth Peters psychologist and author of Overcoming Underachieving: A Simple Plan To Boost Your Kids' Grades And End The Homework Hassles.
(727) 797-2512
587 South Duncan Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756