TOP 10 WAYS TO REDUCE HOMEWORK
STRESS IN YOUR CHILD
·
Set up a study area:
A place dedicated only to
homework and studying is the most important aspect of reducing homework stress.
An area clear of chaos makes it easier for your child to focus and feel calm
while doing homework.
·
Involve yourself:
Not all kids are able to handle
homework all by themselves. Some need parental help. So if you find your child
overwhelmed by homework, do help him/her in completing the assignments. But be
careful to know your limits... as some parents do the homework rather than
helping their child do the homework.
·
Stay positive about and during homework:
Children learn most habits from
parents... be it good or bad. So if you believe that your child can do the
homework successfully…he/she will also believe in it.
·
Break the homework down into small parts:
Set smaller goals towards
completing the assignments. Allow your child to take breaks in-between
goals. Also let your child to set a timer to alert him/her when the break
is over, so that he/she can get back to work again. This will reduce homework
stress tremendously.
·
Teach your child to relax.
Difficult homework assignments
and the pressure to complete multiple projects can cause anxiety, frustration,
and even anger in kids. And your child might possibly go through such a tough
time once in a while. So help your child to learn a few stress management
techniques, such as meditation, listening to music etc. so that he/she can
manage stress better.
·
Encourage your child to have a healthy snack
or even a meal before homework.
It is difficult to concentrate
and feel balanced when hungry. A healthy meal or snack can make a huge
difference.
·
Encourage your child to do homework every day.
When doing something on a
regular basis, it will become a habit. So encourage your child to do homework
or to review notes/lessons every day so that when it is time for a test/exam they
are not overloaded with information.
·
Breaks are a must even for older children.
Don’t expect your teenager to
be able to sit still for long periods of time. Let him/her to move as needed -
go outside to get some fresh air or have a good laugh.
·
Help your child understand the homework.
Many children waste time by
doing the homework incorrectly because they did not understand the directions.
Going over the directions before beginning to do the homework will save time
and also reduce unnecessary stress.
·
Be an honest supporter to your child.
Lastly, if you feel that your
child is overwhelmed or overloaded by homework and it is affecting his/her
quality of life, speak to your child’s teacher. He/she will be happy to sort
things out.
