by Grace Fox

Created on: February 01, 2009

Homework was easy for me, and I got it done in minutes-no problem! Even if I didn't finish it the night before it was due, I somehow managed to get it done at break or lunch and still got an "A". It's not that easy for everyone. As a teacher, I know that it can be difficult for some children to complete their work. I have worked with children who have numerous learning disabilities, and it is a struggle for them to complete their class work, let alone their homework! When school is done for the day, six hours is about all some kids can take, and it can be difficult to motivate them to do their work.

While we cannot always change what the teacher assigns, we can change our child's outlook on their work. Yes, it must be done, and yes, there are no compromises if the teacher requires it for credit-but no, your child does not have to hate it! Here are a few simple things to try to help your child finish their homework and still have time to rest before they begin again the next day.

1. Hire a tutor. I worked as a tutor for a while, and I was glad to see the relief on parents' faces when their child had finished their work in half the time it would have taken without a tutor. A tutor can be a professional, a teacher seeking extra income (like I was), or even a high school student needing some cash or even for community service hours. Tutors can be found at homework help business such as Sylvan or Score, online through want ads, or just around your neighborhood. Tutors take the stress off of you and give your child teh one-on-one attention they need to get them through their work.

2. Offer a reward. Kids are naturally wired to want to achieve. Their "prize" may not be a grade, but it may be a night out with Dad, a new video game, or just plain cash. My parents paid us for our grades at each semester report card. $10 for each A, $5 for each B, nothing for C's, minus $5 each D, and minus $10 each F. It was a real incentive for us to do well in school, and it definitely worked! Even if yuor child doesn't see the grade itself as a reward, you can offer something they do value as a reward for their hard work.

3. Give them a break! Many parents expect their children to come home from school and finish their work right away. Well, after six hours of learning, the kids need a break! Give your child a healthy snack (fruit and nuts with a small glass of skim milk) and give them 30-45 minutes of down time to relax, unwind, and not learn for a while. After they rest, they can spend

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>