Overcoming Homework Avoidance
Students don’t always enjoy doing homework, but it is often part of their classes and their grades. Homework helps them to review important information, reinforce skills, and practice what they have been learning. But if your child is regularly failing to complete this work or turn it in, it can be concerning and may indicate larger issues.
One of the first things to do is get to the bottom of the problem. Talk to your child about why they aren’t doing their homework. Avoidance could be due to a variety of reasons such as:
- The work is too hard/too easy.
- The workload is overwhelming.
- They don’t have enough time.
- They are too tired.
- They are spending their time on assignments for other classes.
- They don’t understand the material.
- They don’t enjoy the subject.
Once you have an idea of what is causing them to skip doing homework or not finish, you can implement changes to help overcome these issues.
Make adjustments to their schedule. Find the best time for your child to do their homework, whether that is right after school or after dinner. When are they most alert and focused? Give them some quiet, distraction-free time during this period to complete assignments, and keep them energized with water and a healthy snack.
If they are staying up too late or are too tired to do their work, you may need to look at what other obligations they have. As their classes get harder, they may want to consider cutting back on extracurriculars and devoting more time to schoolwork. Try to stick to consistent bed and wake-up times to help them get the recommended amount of sleep.
Break down assignments. If the work seems overwhelming, divide it into smaller chunks. For instance, doing five math problems, then taking a short break, then doing five more. Try covering up the remaining problems so they are out of sight for the time being. The same applies to reading. Set a paragraph or page goal. For writing assignments, answer one or two questions at a time, or sit and write a certain number of sentences or paragraphs.
Breaking things down helps your child see their progress instead of just focusing on what they have left to do. Also, taking short breaks gives them a chance to relax and reset so they can get back to concentrating on their work.
Provide support. While you don’t want to do your child’s work for them, you can be available to answer questions and guide them. You may not know exactly what they’re doing, but you can prompt them to look back in their notes or stop and think about what step comes next. Another option is looking up information and resources together to fill in gaps in understanding.
Working with a tutor can also be beneficial. A tutor can explain concepts in different ways that may make more sense to your child, help them develop better time management skills, and increase their motivation. Plus, some kids are more apt to listen to someone who is not their parent or older sibling. Tutoring can equip your child with a variety of strategies and tools to work more effectively and efficiently.
If homework avoidance is a struggle in your house, turn to the team at Crafting Scholars. Contact us to learn more about available programs and how working with a one-on-one tutor can help your child be more successful in school.
Originally published at https://craftingscholars.com on March 20, 2024.
