“Time for homework!” These few words have often extracted moans, groans and sighs from generations of children.
For today’s children living in Hong Kong, we hear them even more often. Other than the usual school homework, they must also include external tutoring and lessons. A first grader can easily have one or two after school activities each day. That doesn’t even include the classes that occupy weekends. Even parents who choose just the basic extra curricular activities might have English Chinese, Math, Music and a sport, just to name a few. Most of these require some extra time at home for homework and practice.
Jonah finds a friend to do his homework with - even though his friend has trouble holding the pencil.
So I have compiled some ideas to help make Homework Time a little less painful for your child and a little more bearable for you. 1. Let your child set his own homework schedule for the day or the week. Allowing your child a little bit of control (scheduling) in a situation in which he has no control of (the massive amount of homework) will boost his self esteem and sense of accomplishment. Of course, make sure that ALL the homework is included in the schedule – not just the fun ones.
2. Misery loves company which true even during homework time. For children with siblings, it isn’t fair for one child to do homework while the other gets to play. Regardless of whether it’s because she has finished her homework or has no homework, encourage the siblings to sit together anyway. Keep each other company by asking the other to read, write a letter or even draw a picture.
Siblings should always support each other through homework time.
3. Mom has homework too. Quite often, when Hannah and Jonah are doing homework, I will turn on my computer and do my own “homework” with them. They feel encouraged that mom empathizes with their plight. In fact, we are all sitting together and working right now as I write this blog! 4. Positive reinforcement is always the best reward. Young children hang on every word his or her parents say and providing positive comments after a tiring night of homework is a great way to end the day. “Great job today”, “I’m very proud of you”, and “You did so well” are only a few ways to make your child feel positive about finishing homework.
I like to borrow library books for the kids to read when finished with regular homework.
I hope my few ideas can help kids (and parents) find some enjoyment in doing homework. Or at least make the process a little less painful. Meanwhile, my own children are finished with their own homework for the day and are now quietly reading next to me while I finish mine. Thanks for keeping me company, kids!
