Changing The Mindset of Homework

Here’s a challenge for you this week. 

We want you to ask your child/children (if you don’t have any, ask some that you know, nieces, nephews, cousins etc.) how they feel about homework?

I can honestly say that the children I proposed this question to did not like homework.

While I know that I come from a totally different generation where we understood the importance and the power of homework, to hear their dislike for homework was disappointing.

With this in mind, we at Girls and Boys of Character are intentionally focusing on changing this mindset.

We share with them that by doing homework, it provides the following benefits:

It keeps the daily lessons fresh, helping them to retain what they’ve recently learned.

This gives them an advantage for the next school day.

Doing homework on a continual basis builds confidence and opens the door to other educational opportunities.

Here are some tips to help you at home with getting your children to view homework differently.

Provide a quiet space for children to complete homework.

Remove all phones unless they are being used for research purposes.

Make sure there is adequate lighting. There is nothing worse than trying to read in dim or poor lighting.  It’s making the task more discouraging.

Make sure there are plenty of supplies handy and available for your child to complete the homework.  Pens, pencils, notebooks, etc., should be at arm’s length.  This eliminates the child from having to ‘get up and go get it’.  Now is a great time to stock up on school supplies as most stores have a clearance sale.

Take some time to sit with them while they are completing their homework assignments.  You being near them adds comfort to what may seem hard.

Perhaps you can complete a puzzle while they are concentrating on their homework.  Such jig saw puzzles, crossword puzzles, word finds, or Sudoku. 

Studies show that those who complete puzzles may experience improved memory and visual-spatial reasoning.

In addition, puzzle solving reduces stress and anxiety and increases one’s mood. (Mindset change.)

The added benefit to this is that your children will witness you taking interest in yourself as well as you have for them and that you are doing your ‘own homework’.

Changing a mindset may not come overnight, but with continual effort along with encouraging words, it can be done.

We can take an active and intentional role in changing the mindset about homework.