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When Homework is a Battlefield

Unless your child is like Jason, the precocious brain in the comic strip, Fox Trot, who begs his teacher for more homework, you’ve probably had to nag a few times to get the latest reading or math assignment done. At worst, homework can become a constant source of stress for parents and kids.

Even if your house is a homework battleground, take heart. There are strategies parents can use to encourage a more positive approach toward completing school assignments. There are many reasons that kids find homework difficult. The key is to understand and help them overcome those barriers. By doing so, you’ll help to set the stage for independent learning.

Here are some tips that can make homework easier and more enjoyable:

Make sure your child isn't chronically overtired.
Many kids today – even young children – are so overscheduled with sports, karate, dance lessons and the like that it takes all their energy to get through the day. In those cases, children can have so much on their plates that there’s no time for an adequate night’s sleep. If your child isn’t getting enough sleep, give his or her schedule an honest look and cut back if necessary.
Look at what they are eating
Kids who don’t eat nutritious foods, and instead fill up with sugary foods at lunch and candy or soda in between, may experience abnormal energy highs and lows. This can leave them either too fidgety or too sleepy to concentrate on homework. This is one of the many good reasons to encourage healthy eating.
Use foods to create the right mood.
You can introduce foods to help your child feel more alert, calm or better able to concentrate. If your child is sleepy – cold, spicy, minty or sour foods can perk them up. Try cinnamon or mint sugar-free gum or hard candy. On the other hand, children who have a hard time sitting still may benefit from warm, smooth or sweet foods and beverages. Try a banana or some warm cider. And if concentration is a problem, something chewy such as raisins may be helpful.
Establish a routine
It's easier to complete homework that’s performed at the same time each day. After the child comes home from school and has time for play, it’s always homework time, no questions asked. If homework is done before dinner, remember that it’s important to give them time to run around and burn off some energy before they sit down to work. And don’t let them watch TV before homework. A number of studies have shown that kids get over stimulated and have a hard time making the transition from television to working in the two-dimensional world of books and paper.
Setup the right environment
Work with your child to find the right place for homework. Older children my prefer the quiet of their room while younger kids often want to be with Mom or Dad. Work with their preferences and find a spot that isn't distracting.
- Provide a stable base of suppose for writing. If a table or desk is used, the child's feet should tough the floor (use a stool if necessary) and the table surface should allow elbows to rest at a 45-degree angle from the body. Some children find it helpful to kneel or sit on the floor at a low coffee table, others may do better with an easel that places;
- For reading assignments, children may want to sit in a comfortable chair with a bed reading pillow or lie on their stomach on the floor a pillow;
- Soothing music in the background can be helpful for some children although others may find it distracting.
Take frequent breaks
Encourage kids to get up and run around every 20 minutes or so. Activities such as jumping, spinning, bike riding, running around, even doing household chores, can help burn off excess energy and get them refocused on attending to sitting and completing their homework.
Try fidget toys for better communication
Since movement helps us concentrate better, some kids benefit from something to fidget with while studying. Try a Koosh ball, flexible straw, rubber band, stress ball, silly putty, pop beads or bendable animals.
Get creative in another dimension

Encourage your kids to try studying vocabulary words by using a moveable alphabet on the refrigerator, or writing words on different surfaces like a magna-doodle, white board, chalk board. Younger kids my have fun tracing words in flour, sugar or even finger paint.

Give these strategies a try until you find the right combination for your child. You'll be amazed at how basic changes can make doing homework easier and even enjoyable.