Homework – the very word most children dread hearing. While some kids seem to do well in school without even trying, other children study for hours and find homework difficult. If your child falls into the latter category of struggling with homework, then you understand the anxiety and frustration that has become a nightly ritual. Learning should be a good experience for children, not one filled with despair. The good news is that you can help your child with homework by breaking each task down into simple terms.
As an example, try using visuals as a learning tool. If your child is working on math and the problem requires him/her to add four + three + two. Just hearing those numbers, could make your child feel as if being faced with an impossible task. However, by using visual aids, your child will quickly grasp what you are trying to teach them. For instance, find four of one object, three of another, and two of yet another.
Examples might be four apples, three quarters, and two tennis balls. Start by setting the apples on the table and asking your child to count them. One by one, start by adding the quarters to the table, again having your child add each one as it is laid down. Finally, add the tennis balls. Soon you will hear your child say, “Nine.” Each time this exercise is performed, your child will get better and better and the confidence level will grow.
If reading is what your child struggles with, as you help them read, break any large words into smaller ones. For example, if the sentence reads, “A thunderstorm was brewing outside.” Take the word “thunderstorm.” Place a piece of paper over the last part of the word, showing only “thunder.” Next, cover the first portion of the word and show “storm.” By breaking big words into smaller words or even syllables, your child will be able to grasp the sound easier.
Now, if your child has a learning disability, most schools have teaching material that can be used at home. This material is specially designed and with a little instruction from your child’s teacher, you will be able to provide extra support to your child from home. The special effort will pay off. Your child will start to understand the lessons, the stress level will be drastically reduced, and the once hated homework will take on a different look.
Keep in mind that this kind of training for homework takes time. Before you start this new method of homework, make an agreement with your child that if anyone needs to take a break, which is perfectly fine. Getting your child to finish homework every night will take time but if you are consistent and provide praise for the things accomplished, you will slowly see a change in your child.
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