Managing homework can be challenging, especially after students have already had a full day of school, they are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and still processing earlier events of the day.
As a parent or caregiver, there are a few things you can implement to help your child feel motivated and empowered to complete their homework.
Time Boxing
Instead of focusing on task completion, emphasize time boxing. Work with your child to agree on a set time to work. For example, 20 minutes of work, 5 minute break, 20 minutes of work. Set visual timers so that they are aware of how much time is left in each segment. Focusing on this can make the homework session feel more structured, less pressured and more enjoyable. In the break segment, encourage your child to take a movement break, have a snack, or enjoy a brief preferred activity.
Organize by Difficulty
If there are multiple homework assignments to be completed. Organize them by difficulty (high, medium, low). Encourage your child to start with the medium difficulty task to build momentum, then tackle the high difficulty task, and finish with the easiest, low energy task.
Visual Supports
Visual support can help decrease anxiety when completing homework and assignments. For example, a visual timer can decrease anxiety around how much time is left in the homework session or break. Another visual aid can be to use a piece of paper or card board to cover up other questions and only expose the current question. This can help with focus and prevent overwhelm if there are multiple questions or prompts.
Alternative Options
If writing or reading is challenging for your child, provide them with alternative options so that they can still be successful and independent. For example, many laptops, tablets, and phones provide speech to text options, allowing the user to verbalize their answer and have it recorded as text. Another option is to allow your child to type their responses or have you scribe while they verbalize their response. If reading is a barrier, there are several free software extensions that can be downloaded onto a laptop and computers that will read text outloud.
Allow Time to Decompress After School
As tempting as it may be to have your child come home and immediately complete their homework, allow them time to decompress before starting. Oftentimes, they've been out of the house for hours, had multiple social interactions, and may feel overwhelmed from managing constant sensory input. Agree on a 45-60 minute transition period with no demands and allow your child to do a preferred activity. Keep boundaries consistent so that they know when that transition period is over and homework begins.