8 STEPS TO HOMEWORK MOTIVATION, K-3


Do you play cat-and-mouse with your child when it’s time to do homework? It turns out that incorporating a little fun into homework time can actually pay off in the long run.

“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.”

Use the suggestions below to help jumpstart your child’s homework habits. At this age, children need a lot of attention and encouragement while working, so keep that in mind.
  1. Turn the assignment into a silly song. These songs don’t need to make sense, but they will make an assignment more fun. Sing about subtracting or turn a reading page into a little tune. This is not only entertaining, but it will help your child to remember the material.


  2. Make a homework race track. Using construction paper, make a car with your child’s name on it. For every 10 focused minutes she spends on homework, move the car one space down the “track.” Don’t forget to decide on a prize for reaching the finish line.


  3. Break longer assignments into smaller tasks. It is easy for a young child to become overwhelmed and frustrated by a lengthy assignment. To avoid this, break a longer assignment into smaller pieces. Allow time for stretch, play or snack breaks in between. Set a timer so that your child knows when the break arrives.

    “Younger children don’t have the attention spans that older children have. Because of this, tasks need to be broken up into small, manageable chunks,” Bavaria says. “It is easy for them to do those tasks if parents or teachers make it fun. I saw a teacher once who made spelling lessons fun by making the students jump rope while they learned their spelling words.”


  4. Keep supplies well-stocked. At this age, many assignments involve creating something artistic. New supplies are a great motivator—think glittery crayons, colored glue or special paper. You may want to stockpile these when they go on sale and dole them out periodically when your child needs a push to get started.


  5. Turn on classical or instrumental music in the background. Research has proven that classical and instrumental music relaxes children. If your child is easily frustrated, this might be a subliminal way to create a more relaxing atmosphere. Be sure, however, that the music volume is soft enough to not be distracting.


  6. Schedule a time for homework with your child’s interests in mind. This will create consistency and reduce conflict. Homework will just be part of the daily schedule. Let your child offer input so that homework isn’t scheduled during his favorite cartoon or conflicting with an extracurricular activity.

    “Routines are very important for a younger child,” Bavaria says. “They help children feel safe and it allows children to know what is expected of them.”


  7. Turn assignments into games. It’s amazing how a pair of die or a stopwatch can turn a boring assignment into an exciting game. No matter how simple the rules, games are instant motivators. Be creative!


  8. Display well-done homework on the refrigerator. Children love to see their work on display. It is a physical reminder that the effort is appreciated and valued. If you fill the refrigerator door with positive reinforcement from good homework scores, good test scores will soon follow.


By Jenny Nordman