8 STEPS TO HOMEWORK MOTIVATION, 4-8


Is getting your pre-teen to do homework a battle? If so, you probably wish there is a way to get your child to do his homework without having to go through the same battle every night.

“Homework is an integral part of the learning process,” says Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D., vice president of education for Sylvan Learning Center. “It allows children to be proactive with their work and allows teachers the chance to extend lessons from class.”

Help your child learn good time management habits and build his level of responsibility with the suggestions below. You may want to try one or two at a time so the change isn’t overwhelming.
  1. Arrange for a peer study group. Encourage your preteen to form a study group of friends or neighborhood peers. Create a “quiet place” for them to work and provide healthy snacks. Studies show that peer study groups are a highly effective way for students to prepare for tests and practice new concepts.

    “Children in middle school are very social and study buddies fulfill that need,” Bavaria says. “Research shows that when children study together it can improve retention. It makes learning active rather than passive and encourages communication.”

    However, Bavaria says parents should be aware of what is happening within the study group. “The one caveat is that study groups need to be regulated.”


  2. Set up an “office space” and a bulletin board. Giving your child her own “office space” will add a level of professionalism to the homework experience and make her feel more grown up. All you need is a desk, a bulletin board with helpful charts and information (times table, grammatical rules, maps, etc.), and possibly a computer.

    “Giving children their own space makes them feel more responsible and more grown up,” Bavaria says. “But even more important, it eliminates time every night reorganizing in a different space. Sometimes student will say they spend an hour doing homework when in fact they spend half of that time finding supplies.”


  3. Help him focus on a topic of interest. By finding out what interests your child, you will be able to guide him into areas that are more intrinsically motivating. If he has to do a science project, for example, and he loves skateboarding, help him come up with a science project that involves the physics or mechanics of skateboarding.


  4. Give specific praise. Even though older children still enjoy hearing “good job” and “nice work,” specific praise is much more motivating and meaningful. For example, “You have great logic skills. I’m amazed at how quickly you solved those word problems,” will show that you recognize specific efforts your child has made.

    “Specific praise lets the child know you have been paying attention to what he is working on,” Bavaria says. “The more specific the praise, the more meaningful it is to him.”


  5. Invest in educational software. There are some wonderful programs for children of this age and computers are a huge motivator for most children. A good place to start is a CD-ROM encyclopedia such as Encarta, which can make research reports more exciting. There are also programs, such as PowerPoint, that allow students to present information in more interesting ways.


  6. Ask your child to explain what he is learning. Many children actually enjoy turning the tables and becoming the “teacher” for a little while. It gives them a sense of power and can boost confidence. Make sure you understand what your child is explaining and ask for clarification when needed. You may find you have a budding teacher on your hands.


  7. Set goals and decide on a reward together. Goal setting is an important life skill, and one that can be practiced and applied through homework. Walk your child through the process and share some of your own goals to set a positive example.

    “When you set a goal and write it down, the goal becomes real,” Bavaria says. “Research shows that goal setting helps children achieve these goals.”

    Create a reasonable goal for homework completion or effort. Then, together, come up with a reward once that goal has been accomplished.


  8. Give praise for effort, not just correctness. It is important for children of this age to feel like their time and effort—not just the end product—are valued. She might struggle in a specific subject area, but recognizing her efforts and hard work will be much more motivating than telling her, “Good job at getting half of those right!”


By Jenny Nordman