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By now children have settled into the routine of
the school day. Most children have adjusted to
their established routine at home. It is important
to maintain a consistent routine each night. First,
this helps children to know what to expect.
Children need to have their lives structured with
routines and activities. When daily routines and
activities in their lives are predictable, it helps
children feel safe and reduces stress and anxiety.
We all encounter stress and anxiety throughout our
every day lives. When children have predictable
routines, it helps them adjust to change more
easily.
Second, consistent routines assist children in
learning to organize themselves. Children can learn
to become independent in this area, when the
nightly homework routine remains the same. Children
emulate and model their parents, when their parents
model and guide them through their routines. It
assists them in learning how to be more
independent.
Helpful Tips for Parents:
. Encourage your child, when he/she
independently does part of the routine without
being asked.
. Provide a reminder to assist them in getting
ready for the next activity: i.e. "In 5 minutes, it
will be time to start your homework, wash up for
supper, get ready for bed, etc.".
. Some children will need more than one
reminder, use the same format: i.e.. "In two
minutes, it will be time ...., you should begin to
pick up your toys, etc."
. Remember to praise your child the minute
he/she moves in the direction of doing what you
asked.
. Thank them for cooperating, this teaches them
what cooperation is.
. When your child consistently avoids starting
homework, take the time to talk with them and find
out what makes it hard to get started. Make
homework a game: time them to see how many they can
finish in a minute or longer, fold the paper in
half or quarters so there isn't as much work to
look at,
. Check to be sure they understand how to do the
work - take time to do an example with them, then
have them do one while you watch to be sure they
are confident about how to complete the work.
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