Thursday, August 27, 2015

Children who have a history of trauma often struggle academically and the start of a new school year can trigger anxiety.  One of the ways that you can support them is by making their after-school time as positive and stress free as possible.  Please see below for 8 tips from Ashley Tutors that can help you best support your child’s homework experience.

  1. Set a Timeline:   The best way to help your child reach their homework goals each day is to set a timeline and stick to it. Make homework an afterschool routine with clear boundaries and expectations.
  2. Provide a Snack: Hungry kids are fidgety kids. Before your child sits down to do homework, provide a healthy snack to tide him or her over until dinnertime.
  3. Make Time for Breaks:  After a long day at school, kids’ brains tend to get a little fried. Let your children clear their heads with some socializing or fresh air before buckling down. If homework drags on into the evening, take a break for dinner, then work some more.
  4. Give Your Child Space - Don’t linger:  No one, no matter what age, wants Mom or Dad breathing down their neck while they work. Make sure your child has space to get things done without being distracted by family members nearby.
  5. Offer Your Support:   Don’t interject yourself into their school work or try to instruct them if they aren’t receptive to it, but do offer support if your kids have a question. At the same time, stay positive about each child’s workload, teachers, and grades, even when they start complaining.
  6. Set Up the Optimal Environment:  What type of learner is your child? Based on how he or she absorbs information, create the type of work environment that best allows for that. Carve out a good study space in their bedroom, a family room, or even the basement. Offer up noise canceling headphones or a sunlamp to prevent drowsiness.
  7. Offer Positive Reinforcement for Their Achievements:  Threats or punishment are no way to motivate a student to do their homework. If anything, this negativity can make a child more resistant to making any progress. Offer positive reinforcement, like 20 minutes of screen time or playing outside, for completed worksheets and improved grades.
  8. Know When It’s Time to Call a Tutor:   There’s only so much help a parent can offer a child before it’s time for a professional to take over. Expert tutors not only have the best grasp of the material, they have a targeted strategy for helping your child retain information and improve knowledge on a broader level.

 

Tips were taken from http://www.ashleytutors.com/8-ways-help-child-homework on 8/28/2014

By: 
Project Wait No Longer - Older Child Adoption Program