Few kids enjoy sitting down to do homework, but that doesn’t mean that homework has to be a battle every night. On the contrary, homework can actually be fun for both your child and you if you have the right plan for it. Take a look at these tips to make homework something to enjoy together, rather than something to dread.
Make It Relatable
Does your child have a favorite fictional character or favorite show? Make homework speak to their level by bringing in fictional characters to serve as the people in the question. For example, if your first grader is struggling with adding 5 and 3, you could tell them that Mickey Mouse has five apples and picks three more apples, and ask how many Mickey now has. When kids feel a connection to what they’re learning, they’re more likely to enjoy learning.
Try Alternate Strategies
Not everyone learns the same way. If the way that’s being taught isn’t speaking to your child, try presenting the material in a different way. You could try acting out a history question and letting your child place themselves in the shoes of a historical figure. Or in science, if the subject can be replicated, try a controlled experiment. Basically, if the obvious solution doesn’t work, try a creative (and safe) solution.
Work Together
Your child is the one learning and doing the work, but you can make them feel like you’re working on the problem as a team. Without doing the work for them, you can nudge your child toward the right answer by asking the right questions or helping explain why something is the way it is. It will go a long way toward convincing your child that you’re in this together.