Helping Kids Focus on School Homework

When I was growing up, it seemed that homework wasn’t really a regular occurrence until maybe third or fourth grade. Getting homework for awhile was almost a rite of passage, and you felt like such a big kid simply by having schoolwork that you have to complete at home. Nowadays, though, this has certainly changed. It’s not uncommon these days for even Kindergartners to get nightly assignments to do at home.

Many younger kids certainly do have difficulty focusing on assignments simply because they have such a short attention span. Yet older kids and teens can lose focus easily, too. As a parent, you can’t do their homework for them (not that you’d want to anyway), but you can help them to focus on their assignments so it’s faster and easier for them to get it done. So how can you do that? Here are some helpful ideas:

After-School Snack. Going to school may not seem that draining to you as an adult, but it can really wipe a kid out. If you are home when they get home, have some snacks ready for them to help re-fuel them. Even if you aren’t there when they walk in the door, you can keep the pantry and fridge snacked with healthy choices so they can help themselves.

Set Expectations. It’s a good idea to set the expectation that homework gets done before extracurricular activities and before hanging out with friends whenever possible. The last thing your child needs is to feel the pressure of a bedtime looming or to feel even more drained after these activities while staring down a pile of homework assignments.

Create a Quiet Space. Every child should have a quiet work area where he or she can go. It’s a good idea for you to be close by to answer questions if needed. Some kids are fine sitting with siblings at the kitchen table. Others, however, may find the presence of other kids to be distracting, and so separating them may be necessary.

Re-Direct When Necessary. Even when all of the above steps are done on your part, you may still find that kids lose focus easily. Some kids really have a hard time focusing, and it seems that the more homework there is to do, the less focused some kids are. You can keep a close eye on your child and re-direct attention when necessary back to the tasks at hand.

Study Breaks. There are times in every student’s life when he or she will come home with literally hours of homework to do. You may find that by allowing your child to take breaks between assignments, your child can keep up the mental stamina necessary to complete the work. This may mean taking a break to watch a single TV show, to have dinner, or to go to baseball practice or piano lessons. Just make sure that he or she gets back on track with homework after the break is over

It may seem like a lot of work on your part, but the fact is that developing good habits now is critical to success later in life when you aren’t there to keep your child focused.

Here are a few other articles written by this author:

Are competitive sports right for your kids?
Is your toddler afraid of the water? Swimming tips that work

The argument for kids playing multiple sports: Considerations beyond your schedule


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