Finding easy ways to survive and enjoy homework sessions...

a well set out study area
makes it more encouraging 

Every family that has faced their child's journey through education, stepping onto the homework path, will admit that it is not the most exciting part of the learning experience.

So with only a few days left before the beginning of yet another school year, I thought we could look at the lighter side of coping with the dreaded Homework task.

All too often our children come home tired and grizzly wanting little to do with what they had just faced at school all day, opting to head outdoors or chill-out in their own manner.

Add to that the stress sometimes faced with our special needs kids having different forms of learning difficulties, sensory sensitivities, etc, and it can become a recipe for disaster.

From the beginning of A.J.'s educational journey, we were faced with homework from the start of kindergarten onwards, with 'Home Reader' reading books, word lists, practice sheets or booklets, drawing over lines and tracing around letters, and the list continued.

Looking at the complete weekly list can be mind boggling when you're still coming to terms with general 'school' involvement. While most teachers will say to you it will only take 5 to 10 minutes a day, the reality is different depending on each child and what each day holds.

The first thing to set up is where they will be doing the work, allowing plenty of space, having everything set up and ready before they begin. I would always set them up at the kitchen table with no distractions, while I either sat with them or prepared dinner, therefore being close by to help when things became difficult.

To establish a routine is paramount for our kids in nearly every situation they face and homework won't be any different.

Reading has always been a big thing in our house, used as a calming tool to settle the kids while tucking them into bed, so I found it quite easy and beneficial to continue this much loved routine, while encouraging them to read along with me then slowly encouraging them to read to me, a page each and then increasing there involvement, while helping with any of the more difficult words.

Introducing the worksheets and other written work was planned around a time when they were calm and attentive. While accepting that, yes, this can be very difficult, I managed a time schedule broken into fragmented sections to not become overwhelming.

After monitoring A.J.'s mood on each day, I would start with a snack and drink break, if he was a little 'hyper' we would start with a 10/15 minutes playtime on the trampoline or another outside activity and then bring him back inside with the snack to settle and be ready to begin.

Working on 5 minute sessions, being realistic knowing we will be the ones sitting with them helping to do this work, encouraging them each step of the way, making it all a positive experience we can all enjoy, knowing the bonding experience is also beneficial. When A.J. became a little fidgety I would distract him with a little break to stretch his legs, a quick cartoon break, or drink, then settle down for another section of that day's requirement. If the day is too overwhelming to settle him down we would work on flashcards or a game form of educational learning so he was still gaining something from that day, and hopefully catch up on the work the following day or before the week ended.

As the years go on, naturally the work increases in volume and difficulty, although having the groundwork of expectation already instigated this should make things less daunting and more routine based for them.

The next step to over-come as the child grows will be the distractions as they gain more interests with toys, games, etc, thus finding excuses as reasoning to avoid their homework. Planning a homework schedule with visuals and 'first' - 'then' strategy whereas when their allotted work is completed without any fuss or delays they gain a reward or treat, something simple such as time rewards for computer games or TV time, or a special dessert treat, this may be accumulated and given on weekends and can also include a special weekend outing with the family.

Remember to give praise and encouragement as needed to keep the momentum going.

Hopefully this will be a great starting point that you can build on and adapt to suit your own schedule. Time is precious, making the most of it with those little angels before it isn't 'cool' will give you many memories to look back on.

Happiness and calm to all xxxx