Tips and tricks to make homework time easier

Homework time

By Audrey Thauvette, psychoeducator and blogger at SOSteacher

Homework time quickly becomes a nightmare for many parents. Finding ways to make homework time easier is becoming a necessity to promote learning as well as the family climate.

My child is easily distracted and has difficulty concentrating.

Here are a few tips:

Set up in a quiet, well-lit area conducive to productivity;

Stay away from people and animals that can interfere with concentration;

Eliminate sources of distraction (television, radio, computer, cell phone, etc.);

Keep only materials needed for the study period within easy reach;

If necessary, reduce auditory stimuli with ear muffs and visual stimuli with a screen;

Adjust furniture to comply with ergonomic rules;

Respond to the child’s sensory needs by varying work positions.

My child avoids homework time

Here are a few tips:

Make study time a non-negotiable part of the daily schedule (the best time for homework should take into account the availability of both child and parent);

Create a special, pleasant moment with the child about 30 minutes before homework time, so that the child can look forward to this time of day.

My child lacks motivation and commitment

Here are a few tips:

Provide the child with stimulating and varied study materials;

Set up in a pleasant environment;

Reduce the length of the study period;

Be playful and creative by transforming lessons into games, taking into account the child’s interests (e.g., technology, singing) and needs (e.g., movement);

Ask the child to take up a challenge (e.g., write with the left hand, invent a story using the words being studied, improve his or her multiplication table time);

Explain and demonstrate the usefulness of homework by making links with daily life;

Set short-, medium- and long-term goals;

Vary learning methods (using chalk, paint or educational apps);

Reward the child once homework has been completed.

My child gets angry when faced with a difficulty

Here are a few tips:

Encourage the child;

Alternate easy tasks with more difficult ones;

Take frequent breaks;

Teach the child ways to manage anger (breathing, meditation, stress ball, putty);

Offer help.

My child doesn’t make an effort

Here are a few tips:

Value the effort rather than the end result;

Clarify your expectations before beginning the study period.

Reduce demands:

Work on 1 objective at a time (calligraphy, problem-solving approach);

Do only part of the exercises to check the child’s understanding (if he or she has grasped the concept, there’s no need to do all the exercises). Over time, the demands will increase, but for the time being, it’s better for the child to do a few numbers than none at all;

Establish an incentive system for effort;

Transform learning into games, taking into account the child’s interests.

ADHD: making homework easier

Here are a few tips:

Have a bin of materials at home to avoid forgetting or losing school supplies;

Make a checklist of homework and lessons to be completed;

Use a visual timer;

Use reminders and visual reference systems to support learning;

Segment the task (1 number at a time);

Highlight important elements of the text;

Take frequent breaks (pre-established breaks in the homework period);

Respect the child’s attentional profile (need to move, manipulate, low attention span, auditory or visual attention);

Alternate easy tasks with more difficult ones.

 Dyslexia: making reading more enjoyable

Here are a few tips:

Use a reading rule to isolate the line of text to be read;

Alternate reading with your child;

Shorten the reading period;

Read the task instructions to your child;

Highlight important elements in the text;

Segment the task;

Use technology (several software programs and applications exist to support the learning of children with special needs).

Here are a few ideas to vary the study period and learn while having fun:

Description of psychoeducation

Psychoeducators work with people of all ages who are experiencing behavioral adjustment difficulties. Through the helping relationship he establishes with his client, the psychoeducator assesses the adaptive capacities and difficulties of the client and his environment, in order to find solutions that meet the client’s needs and promote his psychosocial adaptation.

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Références

• Caron Santha, J. (2015). Comment survivre aux devoirs. Éditions Midi Trente.
• Lambert, A. & Rouillier, I. (2017). Devoirs : la boîte à outils : trucs et idées faciles pour apprendre en s’amusant. Éditions de Mortagne.
• Philippon, J. (2014). Devoirs : 5 trucs faciles et accessibles pour aider nos enfants ! Repéré à : http://mamanbooh. com/2014/09/devoirs-5-trucs-faciles-et-accessibles.html