Creating a Homework Plan

 

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00;00;00;17 - 00;00;23;02

Liz Weaver

Have you ever sat down to help your child with homework? And what should have taken 30 minutes? Took 3 hours? You wanted to do everything possible to help your child, but maybe at the same time you worried that this might be your fate. Every night of the school year and the next school year. And, well, you get the picture.

 

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Liz Weaver

How are you going to ever get anything else done? How is your family going to enjoy time together when it's just an endless homework battle if you've been there? This video is for you. Hi, I'm Liz Weaver of Learning Success. And I put together this video series to help parents of struggling learners because parents of struggling learners have it rough.

 

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Liz Weaver

In this video, we're going to get strategic and cover homework plans and how creating a homework plan can help you. If this video helps you, please make sure to subscribe and share it because we want to help as many parents as possible. Let's watch the.

 

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Speaker 2

Now. If you're anything like me, the first thing that you ever wanted to do when it came to homework with your kids was get them to do it immediately. That way it was done. You had nothing to worry about after dinner. But think about it like this when you get home from work, what is the first thing you want to do?

 

00;01;40;12 - 00;02;06;19

Speaker 2

Usually it is not clean the house, do the laundry, make the dinner. It's I need to decompress. I need to have some time just to chill out before I focus on the next thing that I have to do. And kids are the same way. They actually need some time just to chill out from the day. Their brains have been going in 100 miles an hour all day long, and now they just need some time to decompress too.

 

00;02;06;28 - 00;02;26;07

Speaker 2

So don't always force it unless there's a reason where you just have to be. Somewhere they have a lesson or something that they have to go and do. Then obviously they're going to have to get that homework done some time. But if there's any way possible, give them a little bit of time just to breathe before they jump right back into their homework.

 

00;02;26;15 - 00;02;46;14

Speaker 2

Number one, their attitude is going to be better. And number two, their brains are going to be operating on a whole lot more cylinders than they would be otherwise. Berkeley, I think, is so important is to have a plan for students. You know, it's one thing to say, okay, to get your homework, let's get it done. And the kids may see like they may think, I just got done with a whole day of school and now I have more work.

 

00;02;46;14 - 00;03;00;23

Speaker 2

I'm missing my whole night doing work. But if you actually establish a plan with time, it'll make it much more feasible for the student. And they'll actually see that it's not going to take the whole night and that they have certain times to get their homework done.

 

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Speaker 3

So something that I find to be effective is that you really want to get the child buy in, especially when there's a lot of resistance to homework. The best way to do that, I find that kids usually are feeling like they're resisting homework because they feel like it's one more thing I have to do, so make sure that their schedule is set up to the fact that if they feel completely exhausted by sitting all day long, you know, take a break or build it into your family plan that you're just going to go to the park 20 minutes after school no matter what.

 

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Speaker 2

Just as an example, most students have a reading assignment in a math assignment to do each night. That's a typical homework, especially for elementary school students. And so what I like to do is I'll tell kids, you know what, you get home from school, let's say around 233, and you'll have playtime till four, and then let's do reading from 4 to 430 or 44, 45, and then take another break for about 30 minutes.

 

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Speaker 2

And then I'll do math from 532, six and 536. So we've got to be.

 

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Speaker 4

Consistent with homework, with our clear expectations.

 

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Speaker 2

Whatever it is.

 

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Speaker 4

That we are going to set up. So if that is, come home, have a snack, and then we start homework. Or if you know your kids need that.

 

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Speaker 2

They need a release of.

 

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Speaker 4

Playtime in that downtime.

 

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Speaker 2

So they play and then we go to homework, whatever that is.

 

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Speaker 4

Setting up the schedule and being consistent.

 

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Speaker 5

Is really.

 

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Speaker 2

Going to be key for your kids.

 

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Speaker 5

Time management, get them into a routine, establish some consistency. If we expected out of them, we need to set a clear example of what it is and what doing it successfully looks like. Set clear expectations of what needs to be done. And well.

 

00;04;39;15 - 00;05;08;14

Speaker 2

It's really important for a student to feel like you are modeling your expectations for them. You have to walk the walk. You can't just talk the talk. So parenting and teaching are two of the vocations that I know of where you can't tell someone, do as I say, not as I do, because they don't believe it. They want to see that you are doing the same things that you're asking them to do.

 

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Speaker 2

So when they have an assignment, when they have a lot of reading or a lot of writing, and you tell them to get it done and they go to you for help and just say Get it done. You aren't showing them that completing that work is important to you, helping them when they ask you for help. Having a excellent work ethic yourself.

 

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Speaker 2

If you have a poor work ethic and you're trying to encourage a good work work ethic in them, again, they're going to see that as hypocritical. So modeling the thoughts, behavior, actions that you want to see in your child is really important for them. But the thing about having a set plan and also making sure that there's playtime and breaks in there is that, again, the students are going to see that light at the end of the tunnel.

 

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Speaker 2

They're going to see, okay, this isn't going to take up my whole afternoon. I'm not going to be spending all night doing homework. I don't have to do 2 hours back to back. I have to dedicate this time to reading and then I get a little bit of a break and then there's time to math or whatever subjects they have.

 

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Speaker 3

Or if their schedules are booked back to back to back. And then you sit down for homework, you might have to do some things around that if you're having lots of challenges when homework time comes up. But in general, the best way to get your child by, in and reduce that resistance is get them involved in the process.

 

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Speaker 3

So come up with a homework plan together. Now when I say together, I mean that you're also going to have to be flexible with this book. Believe me, I think that it's going to be worth it.

 

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Speaker 2

We all function better when we have structure. So for example, as soon as they get home, take a break, have a snack, then do your homework, then have dinner, bathtime fun, etc. Many times it helps if you give the child they're old enough a choice. Honey, would you prefer to do your homework at four or five? This way they feel they have some choice in the matter, a sense of control, respect, and that's a wonderful tactic.

 

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Speaker 2

Any other way that you could give them a choice, would you rather do your biology first or your algebra? Giving them a choice really, really helps.

 

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Speaker 4

Typically, we always start with is making sure that we're creating a schedule and routine and essentially developing some structure in their day. So picking a time or a place or an environment that your kids are going to be working on, their homework is ideal and then making sure that we're holding them accountable and then we're encouraging them to use that space in that time on a daily basis.

 

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Speaker 4

This also falls into weekends. So is Sunday afternoon is when we're going over homework. We want to make sure that we're accountable to that. Each week.

 

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Speaker 3

So something that you could do is, you know, have a conversation, a genuine conversation with your kid and say, look, homework is not fun for either of us. Believe me, it is stressful on both ends. So let's come up with a plan that works and you sit down, take time out of your day, make sure that there's not going to be interruptions or distractions.

 

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Speaker 3

Maybe it's on a weekend when there's less stress and activities going on and have a conversation. And maybe this includes both parents or one parent who takes on homework, whatever it looks like. Sit down and write this plan out. You can write it or type it. I suggest them doing it. Let them be a part of it. If they're younger, maybe they want to Colorado put stickers on it or whatever it looks like.

 

00;08;25;10 - 00;08;47;17

Speaker 5

I know with my sons who had very different personalities and had very different learning styles, they had very different routines and they had different ways that they want to approach their homework. I had one son who was a very hard worker and for whom school was actually quite hard. He liked to come straight home, sit down at the kitchen table and start working.

 

00;08;47;20 - 00;09;08;09

Speaker 5

Sometimes I had to remind him to take his coat off and then I had another son who had so much energy to burn. And so we decided, look, let's find some fun. Physical activity for you to do before you dove into your homework. It's you have 30 minutes to spend the way you want and then you need to start doing your work.

 

00;09;08;20 - 00;09;35;01

Speaker 5

So he decided that he would go out and jump on the trampoline for about 20 minutes and come in for a snack and then sit down to do his work. That worked very well for him. And so that doesn't mean that every time they came home, they were just so excited about homework, but at least they had a process that they had some ownership in and it really helped them to be accountable.

 

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Speaker 5

They they understood that they set that routine up and they had to honor it. And so we got homework done before dinner and that was very, very pleasant for us for the rest of the evening.

 

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Speaker 3

So come up with a plan. And in this plan, you know, you're going to talk about what's the best time to do homework and, you know, your family schedule. So lay that out for them. Say, okay, we get off school this time when we start homework at this time, that is really hard for you. What do you need before homework?

 

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Speaker 3

And maybe they say they need to play. Maybe they say they saving a snack and you kind of know what they need as a parent. Just make sure that that's recommended as well in the plan. But really listen to your kids in this moment. Maybe you're completely missing something that they're talking about. And if they're like, I don't want to do my homework before this, this and this, but you might need to listen to that and make some changes to your family plan.

 

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Speaker 2

And it doesn't need to be the same thing every day. We all have crazy schedules with kids and different things, different nights, but it's just nice to set that plan, maybe have a board or some. We can write it in that way. It's something that the students can see, can be done and not overwhelming.

 

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Speaker 3

You might need to think about what reminds us to start homework. If they're off on their own, they're not going to remember to start. How much do you want me to tell you to start? How much do you want a timer or stopwatch or you know someone else to tell you to start your homework? So all the details go into the plan because this is what you're doing.

 

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Speaker 3

You're giving them so much power in making this plan. You're letting them make decisions about it because homework feels completely powerless. Someone tells me, I have to do it. I have to sit down and do it. But this is giving them power.

 

00;11;07;09 - 00;11;33;01

Liz Weaver

Creating a homework plan is a part of the solution, but it's not everything. In this video series, we are covering tactics to help your struggling learner with homework. To really solve the problem once and for all, you need to get to the core of the problem. Learning challenges always lie in one of the cognitive micro skills. These are fundamental skills that make up the learning process a weakness.

 

00;11;33;01 - 00;11;56;24

Liz Weaver

And any one of these skills will cause a learning challenge. The learning success system builds up each and every one of these skills, and it does it in a way that builds confidence and grit. At the same time, if you'd like to see your child finally get fantastic grades and even pass up their peers and academics, then grab your copy of the Learning Success System.

 

00;11;57;06 - 00;12;03;11

Liz Weaver

Right now, you can get a free trial by clicking the link above or the link in the description.

 

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Speaker 4

To designate a study space. This is not your students bed or the floor. This is an actual space that is dedicated specifically to studying and to homework. This could be a desk in their room, maybe a kitchen counter or a spot in the living room. Whatever's going to work best and help them to limit distractions within that realm.

 

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Speaker 4

Make sure that study space is stocked with all of the materials that they might need pens, pencils, granola bars. We all know students who will use any excuse to get up from their desk and go find something else to grab. So having everything within reach is going to really effectively make that time go much smoother and also cut down on the time that they're spending at that desk doing homework.

 

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Speaker 4

Tip number two is have them create a to do list. Once that study spaces is designated, have a to do list. Every single day of what they need to do. Obviously make it with priority in mind. So assignments that are due the next day take precedence. Make sure that everything is completed and then working through from there. That also mitigates the 10 p.m. panic of I have an assignment due in the morning and I haven't done it.

 

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Speaker 4

So as long as they have that to do list, they can see clearly and concisely in front of them what needs to be done today, and that gives them a much more goal oriented approach to homework. At that same time, set goals in terms of timer's timers are very important when it comes to homework. Setting a timer for 20 to 30 minutes at most and allowing your student to put all of their energy in for that short amount of time, really boost their productivity.

 

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Speaker 5

Do not assume that the time your child's been studying reflects the quality of studying or the progress that they're making. There's a very big difference between sitting down and focusing and actually doing the homework versus kind of doing the homework, but then checking Facebook and then kind of reading stuff, but then texting friends, right? That is such a massive block to homework.

 

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Speaker 5

And it's one of the biggest things that we hear from our students all the time. Like, Well, I study for 3 hours and I still got a D and they're equating the time that they put in with the outcome. And just nothing is further than the truth. It's all about the quality of study time over the actual quantity.

 

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Speaker 4

After that, give them 5 minutes of a break. Set that kitchen timer again. Allow them to check their phone at that time. Right. Get on Instagram text back their friends, and then once that 5 minutes is up, back into work and it's going to be much more effective to not ban technology altogether, but let them know that with that 20 or 30 minutes of work, then comes the reward of 5 minutes.

 

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Speaker 4

This also helps them to stay motivated and get through all of their work as opposed to viewing it as hours. 20 minutes is much more palatable.

 

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Speaker 3

So come up with what time, how you're going to be reminded to do it and then schedule in breaks in between. Remember, kids have been sitting all day long, usually by the time they get to homework. So we need breaks in there, especially if they struggle with schoolwork in general. We need to put breaks in there to help increase their attention, increase their emotional capability so they can sit in a tent.

 

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Speaker 4

For longer, make sure you limit distractions so put that phone in another room if it's necessary. Turn off the video games, turn off the TV in the living room, make sure that they're focused for that 20 minutes. It's only 20 minutes is homework.

 

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Speaker 3

You have kids, especially, who get overwhelmed or frustrated very easily. See, they get a problem long and then they're frustrated and overwhelmed or you try to help them start to understand what gets in the way when it gets in the way and make that a part of the plan. They hey, sometimes you get really frustrated and then it's really hard to continue on with your homework.

 

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Speaker 3

What do you want to do in those times when you're getting really frustrated and how are you going to know you're frustrated, right? Put that in the plan. Oh, when my first ball up, when I yell, when I start talking to, you know, my parents, that's when I'm frustrated. That's how I know. And then what do you want us to do about that?

 

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Speaker 3

Come up with a plan. I want you to make sure that I take a break. I want you to walk away, you know? How long do you want me to walk away for? 5 minutes. 10 minutes? Really? Some space. 10 minutes.

 

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Speaker 4

But not least commit to that routine. As we all know, we start off with really good intentions. And then as the weeks go by, that routine or that habit really starts to fall away. All of these are necessary to make it effective, but it also takes commitment on your part and on your student part. This is not going to happen overnight.

 

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Speaker 4

You need to sit down with your student, develop a routine that includes them, have them give you their point of view on their homework time, make them take ownership of it. And once you establish that routine, soon they're going to be following these rules without you having to regulate them. And that's going to make it much more enjoyable for you and your family when it comes to homework time.

 

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Speaker 3

So basically, I just want you and your kids to be empowered to make a plan and both be working at what works best with homework. Right. Good luck.

 

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Liz Weaver

What do you think your child's home or plan is going to look like? I'd love to hear what brilliant ideas your child comes up with. Put your ideas and your child's ideas in the comments for sure. They're going to help someone else get creative too. How would it feel to join thousands of other parents who have successfully helped their children overcome a learning struggle?

 

00;17;34;27 - 00;17;45;22

Liz Weaver

You can do that today by starting a free trial of the learning success system. Click the link in the description and I'll see you on the inside.