Help Children Focus on Homework

Step One: Get ALL the Info to Organize

   Step one for helping children focus on school related tasks is to start with correct information. It helps to read everything the teacher sends home including textbook instruction, if needed, and the assignment book. Children may insist something absolutely must be done a certain way when it is not true.

Moving the Body and the Brain

  Before doing a task, consider a study by Faber-Taylor.  It shows that playing in a green setting helps children to focus and pay attention. Planning a little time outside in nature before sitting down to do something that requires focus helps concentrating, following directions, and completing tasks. 

  Take a little walk.  Run around the house outside a few times.  Ride a bike for ten minutes. Run, walk or jump around to help get the fidgets out and focus.

Turn off technology

Move & Prepare, No Tech, List To-Do's

   You can turn off all screens and phones and place them by a family charging station. When older children insist they can multitask with music, often the moment you are out of the room they will play a game or talk to friends.

  Before children tackle homework or anything else that takes concentration, turn off the noise of technology, unless technology is part of the the homework. If others are watching a screen or listening to music encourage ear phones or move to a quiet area to be far enough away from distraction.  Studying regularly in the same quiet place next to an adult, with an adult on call, or checking often is a good family habit.

Make a List

  Having homework and chores can overwhelm children. Help them focus on getting things done and done correctly. To avoid a melt-down make a list together and cross of the item when completed. Plan to finish projects days in advange and put that on the calendar.

Have some signals

Signal, Breathers, Habits

Take Breathers

  Homework can be exhausting. After working for 10 minutes or more depending upon the age and skill level stand up and take a drink located close by and then get back to work. Make the relaxing time short.

Develop Habits

  Child psychologists suggest we create magic moments within our family as incentives to finish tasks. Little children like a bath and talking time with a parent. Older children can take a relaxing shower, washing their hair, having a snack, brushing teeth, and reading before lights out. Playing video games, watching videos, or texting friends turns on the brain again and interferes with a great sleep.

For more see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons.

Family Chores Help Make Kids Successful

Children are great garden helpers.

Families want
 children spending time on activities that lea to success. Doing family chores has been proven a predictor of success according to developmental psychology studies and it is cheap. Family To- Do Lists are trainers for responsibility, wise use time, and accountability. Decades of many studies preschool into the 20’s show that To-Do children are Can-Do adults—academically, emotionally, and professionally (Weissbourd, Rende, Rossman, and Madeline Levine). In studies of 10,000 high school children, personal happiness is not from high achievement but strong family relationships.
Begin Early
  Young adults who begin chores at age 3 are more likely to have good relationships and a sense of family. How is this done?
  When children are small. Think small. A three year old can help put their dirty clothes in the correct place, find spoons and place them on the table, and help pick up toys. Families are training valuable and appreciated helpers. Their rewards are smiles, hugs, and praising words.
Chores with a Smile
    One key is an adult helping with the chore.  When children are young or doing a new job, adults can work along side, praise, and not expect perfection. Even young children can help dust with an old sock over their hand or dust mop under beds to find dust bunnies.
  Keep it simple and age appropriate.  Young children can pick up little sticks and count their pile. 
  Be careful with the language used.  Thank children for being a “helper” rather than helping.  It is important that children view themselves as one who pitches in, who helps the family, neighbors, and the community. Let’s do “our family chores”, not  “your chores”.
  Avoid tying chores to punishment. Keep talk about To-Do Lists positive or at least neutral. If adults complain about sorting, washing clothes, folding, or doing the dishes so will children.
  Carry on conversations.  One family puts cleaned clothing on a bed, and all gather around to fold and hang up their clothes. They discuss good things, successes, and things that could be better from the week. 
  Take turns with jobs. Make a schedule. Everyone has a day to fill the dishwasher.  Little ones pair up with older ones. Everyone takes their age from the table, adults last.   Schedule chore times into the calendar right next to piano lessons and sports practice. Maintain consistency.
  Keep the allowance and chores separate. Often sit down together at the kitchen table, discuss, and make a master list together to make the family run smoothly.
Start small and earn new levels of responsibility. Game it. They understand the concept.
  To build pro-family behavior like empathy, focus on chores that take care of the family rather than personal hygiene. That’s a different list.
Photo: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos; Sketch: Mark Nowicki

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest