As a parent, you may have experienced the following scenario: Your child comes home in the afternoon from school and immediately drags their feet at the mention of homework or studying. You encourage them to get it done before dinner, but your positivity is met with excuses. This continues until you’re both upset and frustrated. Even if your child agrees to do their homework, they may sit in the bedroom getting distracted over toys or games.
Encouraging Your Child to Finish Their Homework
Why do kids hate doing homework?
Studies have found that children who don’t like doing homework are more common than we think, and the reasons why they don’t enjoy it may run deeper than we realize. It may look like plain defiance, but it is more to do with children lacking an internal sense of purpose.
- No connection to studying – If your child always has trouble with motivation, it could be that they don’t have a sense of purpose that connects schoolwork to a long-term vision for life. Having a ‘why’ for doing anything is essential – even for adults. Talk through why homework is set and how it benefits them. Sometimes, kids need a bit of explanation to help them face their fears and feel more inclined to do homework.
- No organization – Even if your child has a deep understanding of why homework is necessary, they may have a hard time excelling if they feel out of control. Set clear goals for them so that they can feel successful every time they check off a task.
How to get children to do their homework:
- Set up a good spot – Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit location to do homework. It should be out of their bedroom and away from the TV.
- Get the right gear – It’s important that your child has everything they need for their assignments, like a calculator, pens, and pencils. Ensure that your child has the necessary equipment before they begin.
- Write out to-dos – Having a plan to work towards will help to motivate your child to check off a task.
- Start at the same time every day – Make it a routine to start homework at the same time, whether it’s when they get home from school or after sports club. Figure out what time will help your child be most consistent.
- Celebrate achievements – Positive reinforcement encourages your child to keep doing well and checking off their homework assignments.
