|
|
Post by unicorn-tiff'smom on Aug 24, 2006 15:20:23 GMT -5
Do you have trouble getting your child to do their homework? Is the time they invest fighting you on it, 3 times as much time as they would need to finish the work in the first place? I know that I have some of these struggles with Tiff. I found this article below and it gives you some hints into avoiding the homework war. I had adopted some of these at the end of last year and they have helped. We got Tiff a great desk, where there is even room at it when the tutors come. I hold all her homework and she gets 1 subject from me at a time. We start with the easiest work and build up to the hardest, that way it isn't all in front of her to overwhelm her. In between each subject, Tiff gets a drink or a snack, to have that get up and walk around time. What do you do at home for success? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A few simple steps will help bring a smile to your child's after-school routine. Does your child have a problem finishing homework within a reasonable amount of time? Do you have to survive a battle each night? If your child has learning or attention problems, it's likely you have faced such challenges. Adopting these strategies for managing homework effectively can help. click here for some of the strategies and the rest of the article: additudemag.com/magazine.asp?DEPT_NO=306&ARTICLE_NO=7 |
|
|
|
Post by jj on Aug 24, 2006 15:31:38 GMT -5
I love the idea of transitioning from fun activities to a lesser enjoyable activity, and to a yet lesser one and THEN the homework. Can't wait to pass this idea on to my sister. Thanks Unicorn!!
|
|
|
|
Post by misty on Aug 24, 2006 15:34:15 GMT -5
Good article.
Over the years I have found that Shannon needs several things to do her homework well.
1. She needs to be able to stretch out. She does WAY better on the floor or on her bed than she ever does at a desk or table.
2. I took an old shoebox & filled it with pencils (pre-sharpened), a pen, erasers, ruler, extra paper, & scissors. I give it to her at homework time. Now she has no excuses like "I need a new pencil" or "I cant find the scissors".
3. Shannon does better with some background noise. I dont allow the TV because she'll WATCH it instead of doing her work, but a radio playing quietly helps.
4. She needs time to relax/unwind between school & starting homework. I usually let her get a snack, change her clothes & have maybe a half hour watching TV or walking the dog or whatever she chooses before homework starts.
5. If she has a LOT of work, breaks in between help. Just a quick stretch, getting a drink, something like that.
|
|
|
|
Post by jj on Aug 24, 2006 16:07:56 GMT -5
I agree Misty, from everything I've read and heard from parents of ADHD kids, sitting at a desk just doesn't work for most. Ever since I suggested to my sis to let her daughter do homework where she is comfortable, things have went much better. Far from perfect but better.
I like the idea of the radio playing softly in the background. (Misty, does it seem to matter what type of music is playing in the background??)
|
|
|
|
Post by misty on Aug 24, 2006 16:48:27 GMT -5
I like the idea of the radio playing softly in the background. (Misty, does it seem to matter what type of music is playing in the background??) Good question, JJ, but I have no idea. Shannon will ONLY listen to country music & we've never tried a different genre. |
|
|
|
Post by unicorn-tiff'smom on Aug 24, 2006 20:18:42 GMT -5
Now that we have begun to talk about it more in depth. I have noticed that when Tiff is especially with her reading tutor that they are always on the floor doing their lesson. I have walked past her room and they are laying down playing or reading.
But with math, they are at the desk...
I haven't tried the music in the backround yet. She maybe too young still, will have to wait until school starts.
|
|
|
|
Post by lostmyshoe on Aug 24, 2006 20:32:07 GMT -5
Unicorn, thanks so much for the great article. I can use all the advice I can get. This year my daughter is in 7th grade and it is going to be her hardest year yet. My daughter can't just jump into her homework so I give her a half hour to an hour to relax when she gets home from school depending on how much homework she has or if it's CCD(religious education) night. She seems to also need to have some white noise in the background. As she is a little older and more responsible for her work I will not be nagging her like before. Our family psychologist suggested to us that we use consequences instead of fighting with her. She has been told there will be consequences if she blows off an assignment and gets a low grade as a result. I'll keep you posted on how this works. Wish me luck. Losty
|
|
|
|
Post by Charlie Girl on Aug 26, 2006 6:07:28 GMT -5
I have heard both that it doesn't matter what type of music as long as it isn't too distracting, and that classical music is best. I think it boils down to whatever works for your individual child.
My son used to do best when I had classical in the background but then he decided it wasn't "cool" anymore. Now, I let him have whichever he prefers as long as its low enough to not distract him with the lyrics.
I think its important to let your child decide where to do homework, and whether to sprawl or sit at a desk. As long as they are comfortable and applying themselves to getting it done, I say let them be. Maybe its a cop out, but I could spend the entire evening arguing with my son over those issues and he would be thrilled to do so. It would just suit him to a t to fight over it rather than to actually do it.
|
|
|
|
Post by misty on Sept 5, 2006 0:23:25 GMT -5
I was reading an article that had a great idea for making a homework plan.
Basically, you drawup a plan with your child. The plan states:
*how much time the child will spend doing assignments (roughly, as this can vary from day to day).
* How often they will get breaks & how long the breaks will be.
* What time they start their homework (Right after school, after dinner, etc)
*Where they do their homework
* what conditions are allowed (soft music, a drink nearby, at a desk or sprawled on the floor or bed, etc)
* How homework will be handled on weekends (In my house, Shannon gets a break & can wait until Sunday to do homework, unless its a huge assignment & then we break it into chunks & spread it out over the days).
* an agreement to use their planner & show it to us daily.
* what they do with completed homework (Shannon has a special folder for hers)
*incentive for sticking to the plan (Shannon gets TV or computer time or can have a friend over for an hour in the evening, if her homework gets completed without a fight).
The idea is that if you sit & create a plan WITH your child, they will feel they have some control over it & will comply much easier. And of course, they don't get their incentive if they don't hold their end of the bargain.
|
|
|
|
Post by unicorn-tiff'smom on Sept 5, 2006 10:26:21 GMT -5
Those are also great tips. Hope they help us all!
|
|
|
|
Post by katiekat on Sept 5, 2006 22:15:27 GMT -5
When my older son (he's 10) gives me a hard time with homework I just tell him not to do it and I'll write his teacher a note explaining that he was yelling and/or crying and maybe she could help him because he seemed to not be able to do it. This always works with him as he finds me to be quite embarrasing. I dont, however think this will work with Sean as I can see already homework will be alot more difficult with him. Tomorrow is his first day of school  .Wish us luck! |
|
|
|
Post by misty on Sept 5, 2006 22:28:02 GMT -5
Oh, GOOD LUCK, Katie! I hope Sean has a GREAT day! I'll be waiting to hear how it went!
|
|
|
|
Post by unicorn-tiff'smom on Sept 6, 2006 9:39:16 GMT -5
Here is my homework vent for the day. Last night I didn't get home until 9pm. BF was to watch Tiff. When I got home she hadn't done her math homework.  I asked her what happened. She said that they made dinner and then BF went onto the computer. She said she told him she didn't understand it. He said in a minute. Well he was still on the computer at 10:30. I'd put her to bed by 9:15, telling her we'd do it this morning. She was in tears. So this morning. She had a hard time waking up, of course because we had things to do. And at 7:30 when we are to leave the house, we hadn't even started the homework. I told her I'd write a note. More tears, since she had already not done an assignment last week. I was so furious with him and it appears I still am. he could have taken 10 minutes and done it with her and then done his thing. Sorry had to vent. So mommy will make it right tonight, in helping get the work done. |
|
|
|
Post by katiekat on Sept 6, 2006 10:53:08 GMT -5
First day of kindergarten went well. Of course it was an open house and we stayed the whole time so I guess tomorrow counts as the "real" first day. But no homework tonight for Sean-hopefully Joe wont have any either!
|
|
|
|
Post by misty on Sept 6, 2006 13:01:11 GMT -5
KatieKat,  Did he like his teacher? How many kids are in his class? Will he ride a bus? In our district the moms ride the bus with their kids on the 1st day of Kindergarten. Did he make any friends yet? I know I'm FULL of questions...sorry. |
|
|
|
Post by katiekat on Sept 6, 2006 17:56:03 GMT -5
Misty, He seemed to enjoy school and his teacher is really nice. I'll walk him to school -we live about 1 minute away.There is actually no busing in this district. He found a little boy who had the same backpack as him so they kinda stuck together. The classroom was set up with centers and you went to each one and followed the directions. Making a nametag, finding your cubby,things like that. It was a good way to start them off. He asked if from now on he can walk to school alone so I guess hes not fearful. Thanks for asking!  |
|
|
|
Post by misty on Sept 6, 2006 18:05:49 GMT -5
Sounds GREAT! I'm glad it went so well. Now tomorrow will be the test...will you cry when you leave your little boy there? I cried when Shannon went to Kindergarten...but she DIDN'T! LOL...she never looked back!
|
|
|
|
Post by katiekat on Sept 6, 2006 18:10:21 GMT -5
LOL I didnt cry when my older son went to kindergarten but when his bus was over an hour late bringing him home I did!!!(we lived in a different town then).  |
|
|
|
Post by misty on Sept 6, 2006 18:24:01 GMT -5
OMG..I can IMAGINE!!
Last year Shannon decided to walk to her sick friends house to drop off homework. Problem was, she didn't tell us! I was FRANTIC! When I saw the other kids from her bus walking home & not her I was calling in the calvary (well, the school, her friends, etc). Meanwhile my husband drove around looking, He found her coming from her friends. After we hugged her & then yelled at her & she finished crying we fiinally sat down & talked. Turns out she had no idea she was late...thought she was only a minute! It was a mix of the inattentiveness & impulsiveness but it scared us terribly!
|
|
|
|
Post by misty on Nov 1, 2006 19:48:21 GMT -5
It is now recognized that many children and adolescents with learning difficulties need explicit, intensive instruction in study strategies2,3,4,5,6 . This article will describe strategies your child may need to learn, including prioritizing and shifting approaches, and identifying global themes while ignoring irrelevant details7. Self-monitoring strategies such as checking, planning, and revising are critical, as your child, like many others, may not use these automatically8,9. Finally, your child may need to be taught explicitly how to figure out which strategy is appropriate when preparing for a test10. Lots of wonderful ideas & thoughts here...so I just thought I'd add it to the thread.www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=878 |
|
|
|
Post by unicorn-tiff'smom on Nov 2, 2006 18:16:37 GMT -5
That is a great article! I printed it out to try some of the techniques listed.
|
|
