Nearly all students around the world dislike homework. It eats up their TV and playtime at home, and it gives them headaches and frustrations. These assignments, however, also annoy parents when their kids are struggling. Parents eventually realize that they must help out.
But for parents, perhaps one of the more challenging homework situations is when the child is still very young. Younger children do not understand its purpose yet, which is why the burden is on the parents.
Fortunately, there are some tips to help little kids do their homework.
- Keep things positive
For kids as young as 4 to 6, it is still difficult for them to understand the “seriousness” of homework. So if you want them to stay involved, keep a positive outlook, and make them believe it is a fun and interesting thing to look forward to; otherwise, they will learn to dread homework. This is especially important if you become frustrated when trying to teach them. You may firmly warn them if they are misbehaving, but generally, keep a smile on your face.
- Reduce the energy before you begin
Very young kids are full of energy, which prevents them from sitting still. If you realize that your child needs much time to settle down, then engage them in a few physical activities first to reduce some of their energy. Once done, they will be more willing to sit down, listen to what you say, and work on what they need to do. Just be careful not to tire them out too much, or they will also be too tired to think.
- Keep the sessions short
Little kids cannot focus long, so try to keep your lessons short. Many suggest 10 to 15 minutes only on a topic before you have a short break or switch to something different, preferably something more fun.
- Ensure there is a treat at the end
Young children often work better if they know there is something to look forward to at the end. This could be their favorite snack or storytime with a parent. It is a good way to start getting them used to delayed gratification. However, it is important to explain the purpose of homework so that they may slowly begin to understand it is part of the school process, not just for immediate rewards.
- Know when to stop
Some topics may be easy for your child, while others will take much time. If you realize that nothing is getting through, it may be time to stop and resume another day. It could be that your child is less focused that day, or he or she needs more time to process it. So stop it for the meantime and resume some other time.
Summary
For little kids, homework can be a great challenge for them and their parents. If you are a parent of a little one, take note of the tips above to help your child get used to the homework process.