Motivate your child to complete their workbooks...

...without having a nervous breakdown yourself!

Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller from NewsForParents.org put together an informative list of tips to encourage your child to complete their school work. Enjoy!

1. Eliminate the word homework from your vocabulary. Replace it with the word study. Have a study time instead of a homework time. Have a study table instead of a homework table. This word change alone will go a long way towards eliminating the problem of your child saying, "I don't have any homework." Study time is about studying, even if you don't have any homework. It's amazing how much more homework kids have when they have to study regardless of whether they have homework or not.

1. 
   2. Establish a study routine. This needs to be the same time every day. Let your children have some input on when study time occurs. Once the time is set, stick to that schedule.

Kids thrive on structure even as they protest. It may take several weeks for the routine to become a habit. Persist. By having a regular study time you are demonstrating that you value education.

3. Keep the routine predictable and simple. One possibility includes a five minute warning that study time is approaching, bringing their current activity to an end, clearing the study table, emptying their back pack of books and supplies, then beginning.

4. Allow children to make choices about homework and related issues. They could choose to do study time before or after dinner. They could do it immediately after they get home or wake up early in the morning to do it. Invite them to choose the kitchen table or a spot in their own room. One choice children do not have is whether or not to study.

5. Help without 0ver-functioning. Only help if your child asks for it. Do not do problems or assignments for children. When your child says, "I can't do it," suggest they act as is they can. Tell them to pretend like they know and see what happens. Then leave the immediate area and let them see if they can handle it form there. If they keep telling you they don't know how and you decide to offer help, concentrate on asking than on telling.
*Ask:
"What do you get?"
"What parts do you understand?"
"Can you give me an example?"
"What do you think the answer is?"
"How could you find out?"

6. If you want a behavior you have to teach a behavior. Disorganization is a problem for many school age children. If you want them to be organize you have to invest the time to help them learn an organizational system. Your job is to teach them the system. Their job is to use it. Yes, check occasionally to see if they system is being used. Check more often at first. Provide direction and correction where necessary. If your child needs help with time management, teach them time management skills. Help them learn what it means to prioritize by importance and due date of each task. Teach them to create an agenda each time they sit down to study. Help them experience the value of getting the important things done first.

7. Use study time to get some of your own responsibilities handled. Use study time to get some of your own responsibilities handled. Do the dished, fold laundry or write thank you notes. Keep the TV off! If you engage in fun or noisy activities during that time children will naturally be distracted. Study time is a family commitment. If you won't commit to it, don't expect that your children will.

Side note from Healthy Start: If all else fails, bribe them with the Walmart gift card they will receive if they bring their completed workbooks on their first day back to school- August 25th;) Just kidding, but seriously...